Hardhead Catfish
Ariopsis felis
How to tell it
Four chin barbels, hard head plate; venomous spines.
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | No harvest | Possession prohibited | Closed year-roundSC DNR 2026 · checked | Put it back |
Not specifically regulated in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida (Atlantic), Florida (Gulf), Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia: each state’s rule for unlisted species applies there (on its page).
State records
| State | Weight | When, where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 3 lb 3 oz | 2018 | Outdoor Alabama Saltwater State Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Florida | 4.5 lb | 2018 · Port Charlotte | FWC Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Mississippi | 3 lb 0.32 oz | 2005 | MDMR State Saltwater Records (Conventional) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Texas | 4.06 lb | 2003 · Corpus Christi Bay | TPWD State Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
On the table
Rarely kept; handle with care.
In the app
Point the camera at a hardhead catfish and the name appears before you take the picture, with these rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed, and every catch goes in the log.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask about hardhead catfish
Where is hardhead catfish harvest prohibited?
South Carolina. Release it there.
What is the record hardhead catfish?
4.5 lb in Florida (2018), Port Charlotte. Other states’ records are in the table.