SlotGaugeCheck a catchFlathead Catfish regulations in Delaware
Catfishes · Freshwater · 2026 season
Flathead Catfish size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| State waters | Open year-round | No size limit | No daily limit |
Notes
- INVASIVE: do not return to water. Kill immediately and contact Fish & Wildlife at 302-739-9914.
Exact DNREC wording
- Season
- Open Year-RoundINVASIVE: Please do not return to water. Immediately kill and contact Fish and Wildlife at 302-739-9914.
- Size
- No Size LimitINVASIVE: Please do not return to water. Immediately kill and contact Fish and Wildlife at 302-739-9914.
- Limit
- No LimitINVASIVE: Please do not return to water. Immediately kill and contact Fish and Wildlife at 302-739-9914.
Source: DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife, captured 2026-09-20 (2026 season).
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About the flathead catfish
Species of fish
The flathead catfish, also called by several common names including mudcat or shovelhead cat, is a large species of North American freshwater catfish in the family Ictaluridae. It is the only species of the genus Pylodictis. Ranging from the lower Great Lakes region to northern Mexico, it has been widely introduced and is an invasive species in some areas. The closest living relative of the flathead catfish is the much smaller widemouth blindcat, Satan eurystomus, a cavefish.
Read more about Flathead catfish on Wikipedia →
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife, not Wikipedia.
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Frequently asked
What is the size limit for Flathead Catfish in Delaware?
No size limit in Delaware state waters.
How many Flathead Catfish can you keep per day in Delaware?
No daily limit.
When is Flathead Catfish season in Delaware?
Open year-round.
Is my Flathead Catfish a keeper today?
Flathead Catfish is an invasive species: keep it, no size or daily limit, and do not return it to the water.