04-10-2004, 05:04 PM
Hi all,
I read with interest the posts several weeks back about the supposed "blue" cats in Utah Lake. I too have netted Cats that look different than Channels, and believed them to be Blue Cats. I have heard from game wardens and park personnel alike that there ARE Blues in Utah Lake, and have also heard the contrary from other fishery experts. After the last months posts, I was somewhat convinced that I was mistaken and had simply observed a color variation of the Channel Cat. That changed however on Thursday. While fishing in the wind and rain I landed 4 nice Cats. One of them looked like a fish that would be considered a Blue Cat. I decided to do my own little careful investigation. I chose two similarly sized catfish, both around four pounds, but for argumentative reasons, the channel cat was 1/4 of a pound larger. Besides the obvious color difference, I noted the following: The mouth on the "Blue" was larger. The anal fin was noticably different. the pectoral fin was different, ie. The Channels was longer and narrower, the "Blues" was shorter and wider. The tail on the Channel was forked, the "Blue was Nearly flat. The head on the "Blue" was larger wider and flatter, and the eyes are a different color.
So, I have once again changed my position. There ARE Blue Cats in Utah Lake. Barring DNA test results or other conclusive evidence, including but not limited to Christ himself telling me I am wrong, I stand by my decision...
Slayereace
ps. Yes there are photos!
[signature]
I read with interest the posts several weeks back about the supposed "blue" cats in Utah Lake. I too have netted Cats that look different than Channels, and believed them to be Blue Cats. I have heard from game wardens and park personnel alike that there ARE Blues in Utah Lake, and have also heard the contrary from other fishery experts. After the last months posts, I was somewhat convinced that I was mistaken and had simply observed a color variation of the Channel Cat. That changed however on Thursday. While fishing in the wind and rain I landed 4 nice Cats. One of them looked like a fish that would be considered a Blue Cat. I decided to do my own little careful investigation. I chose two similarly sized catfish, both around four pounds, but for argumentative reasons, the channel cat was 1/4 of a pound larger. Besides the obvious color difference, I noted the following: The mouth on the "Blue" was larger. The anal fin was noticably different. the pectoral fin was different, ie. The Channels was longer and narrower, the "Blues" was shorter and wider. The tail on the Channel was forked, the "Blue was Nearly flat. The head on the "Blue" was larger wider and flatter, and the eyes are a different color.
So, I have once again changed my position. There ARE Blue Cats in Utah Lake. Barring DNA test results or other conclusive evidence, including but not limited to Christ himself telling me I am wrong, I stand by my decision...
Slayereace
ps. Yes there are photos!
[signature]