Identification
Four dark saddles interrupt the mottled body. The rounded tail carries a dark band near its edge, and the dorsal fin has a conspicuous dark area. Its pectoral spines have serrations and recurved teeth; avoid grasping an unidentified small catfish around the fins.
Size and Weight
A reported maximum of 13 cm total length is about 5.1 inches. The common-length summary is 7.3 cm, or 2.9 inches. Both measurements include the tail fin. No dependable maximum body weight was located.
Habitat and Natural Food
Slow pools, stream margins and runs can hold this fish where sand and gravel mix with leaves and sticks. Its diet includes midge, blackfly, mayfly and caddisfly larvae. Small crustaceans are also reported.
Fishing and Observation
There is no verified recreational bait or lure recommendation here. Its small size and sheltering habitat make a careful identification more useful than applying the methods used for large channel or blue catfish.
Shelter Becomes a Spawning Site
Brindled Madtoms use sheltered places beneath rocks and wood for reproduction. Keeping natural streambed cover intact preserves these places; removing an occupied rock also removes part of the fish’s habitat.
All Lakes With Brindled Madtom
Browse lakes and reservoirs with documented Brindled Madtom records, listed alphabetically. Records do not establish current abundance or public access. Check the evidence and managing authority for the water you choose.
Showing 1–5 of 5 lakes · Page 1 of 1
- Base Line Lake Washtenaw, MI
- Bass Lake Livingston, MI
- Lake Saint Clair Wayne, MI
- Orchard Lake Oakland, MI
- Union Lake Oakland, MI