More commonly, adult length is about 15–45 inches (38–114 cm).

The flathead catfish grows to a length of 155 cm (61 in) and may weigh up to 55.79 kg (123.0 lb), making it the second-largest North American catfish (after the blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus). The anal fin has 14 to 17 rays and a round margin. The fins are otherwise brown, though the body's mottling may extend into the fins. The caudal fin is emarginate in structure, and its upper lobe may bear an isolated white margin. A premaxillary tooth pad has posterior extensions. The eyes are small and the lower jaw prominently projects beneath the upper. Individuals, particularly young specimens from clearer waters, may be strongly mottled with dark brown to black color. The flathead catfish is olive colored on its sides and dorsum, with a white to yellow underside. In dialect of the Ozark mountains it may be referred to as a 'granny cat.' Description

The flathead catfish is also known as the yellow cat, mud cat, Johnnie cat, goujon, appaluchion, opelousas, pied cat and Mississippi cat. The closest living relative of the flathead catfish is the much smaller widemouth blindcat, Satan eurystomus. Ranging from the lower Great Lakes region to northern Mexico, it has been widely introduced and is an invasive species in some areas.

It is the only species of the genus Pylodictis. The flathead catfish ( Pylodictis olivaris), also called by several common names including mudcat or shovelhead cat, is a large species of North American freshwater catfish in the family Ictaluridae.

Flathead catfish fishing planet setup