Flathead Catfish Pylodictis olivaris
This species was found at 66 bioassessment sites, 0 rapid fish bioassessment sites, 22 fisheries assessment sites, and 0 fisheries presence-only assessment sites. In total, it was collected at 88 distinct sites, or 6.8% of the 1291 total sites monitored by the bioassessment program. It is the 53rd most commonly collected species.
The Flathead Catfish was collected in 96 bioassessment sampling sessions and 23 fisheries assessment sessions. It was present in 0 rapid bioassessment sessions and 0 presence-only sessions.
The biological assessment program has collected a total of 670 individual Flathead Catfish specimens, ranking it the #69 most collected fish.
Dark to olive-brown with dark brownish mottlings on the sides, especially in younger fish. After living in waters that flow over sand or light bottoms, adults are often light tan or even yellowish in color. The anal fin is very short with only 15 to 17 rays. The head is broad and flat, and the tail is square or very slightly notched. The jaws are heavy, and the lower jaw is longer than the upper.