Reproduction Habits of Blue Catfish

April 30, 2009

Question: Do blue catfish reproduce in California lakes? If not, why? (Mike M., Anaheim)

Answer: Blue catfish can reproduce in lakes provided they have the right cave type of habitats, according to DFG Senior Environmental Scientist Mike Giusti. Spawning blue cats construct nests under overhanging rock ledges along deeply undercut banks and other sheltered places. In lakes that are self-contained where the lake managers purchase the fish from private hatcheries, DFG cannot be sure if those fish were genetically altered for increased growth. If they were, those fish could be infertile.