Channel Catfish
Channel Cats where origgionally introduced in 1903 and are the most commonly caught catfish in Arizona. They have scattered black spots on a silver or gray colored back and sides with a white belly. Adults generally have fewer spots than younger fish. Their skin is smooth and they do not have scales. They have 8 barbels or 'whiskers' above their mouth, which is where their name come from, and a deeply forked tail. Their anal fin has 24 to 30 rays and is slightly rounded.
Average Length 10 to 39 inches.
Average Weight: 12 ounces to over 15 pounds.
Habitat
Channel Catfish can be found in most warm water lakes and rivers throughout Arizona. Tehy generally inhabit deeper stretches of rivers and streams with moderate current. They will spawn from April through early June.
Diet
Channel Catfish will eat almost anything, dead or alive although, they prefer minnows, crayfish, and aquatic insects.