IDENTIFICATION: Channel catfish are scaleless and have slender bodies, deeply forked tails, barbels around the mouth, and curved anal fins with 24-30 rays. Color varies, but is generally bluish-silver on the upper half of the body and silver to white on the lower half. Most young fish have spots on the body. They have sharp spines in the dorsal and pectoral fins. Some anglers mistakenly call channel catfish with few or no spots blue catfish. FISHING TIPS: Channel catfish feed on or near the bottom. Nightcrawlers, shrimp, crayfish, chicken livers, and minnows are effective. Spinning or casting tackle with a sinker heavy enough to keep the bait on the bottom is commonly used. A good time to catch channel catfish is after a hard rain when the water is on the rise.