blue catfish

American  

Or blue cat

noun

1. a large freshwater catfish, Ictalurus furcatus, that is a popular food fish in the states of the Mississippi River valley.

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Etymology

Origin of blue catfish

An Americanism dating back to 1825–35

Example Sentences

Frankie Delaney said he got sick after fishing for blue catfish at a favorite spot upriver from Georgetown in January, while sewage was still pouring into the river.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026

Foraged promotes wild blue catfish, which the chef places on a creamy canvas of skin-on potatoes, carrots and oysters cooked just to warm them.

From Washington Post • Mar. 3, 2023

Eugene Cronley reeled in a 131-pound blue catfish from the Mississippi River, shattering the Mississippi state record by a whopping 36 pounds.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 22, 2022

Joey Baird of Lawrenceville, Virginia, caught a 121-pound, 9-ounce blue catfish in Lake Gaston in July.

From Washington Times • Jan. 22, 2021

I watched them one day when they caught a blue catfish out of Birdsong Creek.

From "Old Yeller" by Fred Gipson