A flathead catfish like this one can live for decades under the right
conditions, as shown by a remarkable recapture at Canton Lake, Illinois.
River Rumors: One Catfish, Three Decades of History
Story and photo by Keith “Catfish” Sutton
Catfish anglers love to talk about old fish, but every once in a while the biologists prove that some of those legends are absolutely true.
Last spring, Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) fisheries biologists netted a flathead catfish in Canton Lake that turned out to be a living piece of catfishing history. The fish, captured during routine electrofishing surveys, was originally stocked into the lake more than a quarter century ago—and it’s still thriving.
According to IDNR records, flathead catfish have been sampled annually in Canton Lake since 2001 through spring boat electrofishing surveys, along with targeted summer surveys in some years. The data show a stable, naturally reproducing population at a moderate density, with consistent recruitment. In 2024 alone, biologists sampled 61 flatheads ranging from just over 7 inches to nearly 40 inches long. Body condition was excellent, a clear sign that the fishery is healthy and food is plentiful.
But one flathead stood out from the rest.
During the 2024 survey, IDNR Fisheries recaptured a PIT-tagged flathead that had originally been stocked into Canton Lake from the Illinois River on December 15, 1998. At the time of stocking, the fish measured 16.7 inches and weighed just 1.6 pounds. When it was recaptured on June 11, 2024, it had grown to 38.6 inches and tipped the scales at 30.8 pounds.
If the fish was approximately two years old when it was stocked—a reasonable estimate for a flathead of that size—it would now be at least 29 years old. That kind of longevity is rare and underscores just how long flathead catfish can live when conditions are right.
Canton Lake, located about one mile northeast of the town of Canton in Fulton County, has been providing those conditions for decades. The 250-acre lake was constructed in 1939 and originally served as the primary potable water source for the city of Canton. Over time, however, it has developed into one of Illinois’ more respected sport fisheries, especially for catfish anglers.
Between 1997 and 1999, IDNR stocked a total of 990 flathead catfish from the Illinois River into Canton Lake, helping establish the fishery anglers enjoy today. The lake now supports quality populations of flathead, blue and channel catfish, making it a popular destination for both local anglers and visitors willing to travel for a shot at a big fish.
“This is one of the top catfish lakes in the state,” IDNR noted in its most recent report on Canton Lake—and that 29-year-old flathead is proof that good management and good habitat can produce truly remarkable fish.
For more information about Canton Lake, anglers can contact Canton City Hall at 309-647-0020 or IDNR Fisheries Biologist Rob Hilsabeck at 309-370-5296.
(Keith “Catfish” Sutton serves as editor for CatfishNOW and its sister publication, CrappieNOW.)
