Flathead catfish

The flathead catfish, also called by several common names including mudcat or shovelhead cat, is a large species of North American freshwater catfish in the family Ictaluridae. It is the only species of the genus Pylodictis.

Flathead catfish are bottom-dwellers native to large rivers of the Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio basins, ranging from Canada to Texas, the Gulf of Mexico, and northeastern Mexico. They prefer medium to large rivers with warm water and slow, steady currents, favoring deep spots with vertical banks and woody debris.