Channel Catfish lctalurus punctatus

Channel Catfish lctalurus punctatus

            This is the largest member of the catfish family found in Canada. The average size of a catfish is 1-2 kg; although in the southern United States, were water temperatures are warmer this species can reach up to 27 kg. Members of the catfish family lack scales. They can have poisonous venom in the fin spines and have sensitive taste cells located on the body and barbells. One catfish artefact from Lake Huron was carbon dated to be 3000 years old.