channel catfish

noun

: a large black-spotted catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) that is an important freshwater food fish of the U.S. and Canada

called also channel cat

Examples of channel catfish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Tassone said the pond is home to bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass and sunfish. Debra Skodack, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2025 Lakes 2, 3, 4 and 6 will be stocked with 3,000 pounds of channel catfish for the event. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025 Sharks aren’t little channel catfish mouthing a hot dog chunk before committing. Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 13 Mar. 2025 Certified weight records will be available for black crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead, channel catfish, common carp, flathead catfish, lake trout, northern pike, smallmouth bass, walleye and yellow perch. Kay Johnson, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for channel catfish

Word History

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of channel catfish was in 1820

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Channel catfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/channel%20catfish. Accessed 25 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on channel catfish

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!