Strange Looking Catfish

Type: Tidal
Region: Southern
Location: Patuxent River

I caught this catfish while fishing on the Patuxent River. It had several open area that looked like sores and I don't know if it is a disease or if they came from fighting. The areas were around the mouth, back of the head and near the tail. He fought well and didn't seem lethargic, but I did not eat it.

DNR Response: It is a channel catfish. These kinds of sores are not unexpected this time of year because higher water temperatures help promote bacterial growth on fish if they get a superficial wound. In the case of many catfish species, they are often found around woody debris in the water or along shorelines at some point. Any scratch or wound that doesn't heal immediately can develop bacterial growth that results in unsightly sores. Once the water starts cooling down towards fall, we see fewer cases like this.