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Bield:Fish
Single-region spawn timing

Flathead Catfish spawn timing in Southern Plains / Ozark / Arkansas River System.

Pylodictis olivarisLate May – Late June

Arkansas and Mississippi delta peak June.

Calendar & temperature

JanJan — Outside spawn windowFebFeb — Outside spawn windowMarMar — Outside spawn windowAprApr — Pre-spawn — water rising toward 66°FMayMay — Peak spawn (70–75°F)JunJun — Peak spawn (70–75°F)JulJul — Post-spawn — water at 78°F+AugAug — Outside spawn windowSepSep — Outside spawn windowOctOct — Outside spawn windowNovNov — Outside spawn windowDecDec — Outside spawn window
Typical window: Late May – Late June
32°37°42°47°52°57°62°67°72°77°82°87°Peak 70–75°F
Pre-spawn — best fishingPeak spawn — conservationPost-spawn — recovery feeding·Dashed line = peak spawn boundaries

Phase-by-phase

Pre-Spawn

Trophy fishing window
62–66°F

Pre-spawn flatheads move from deep river channels and reservoirs to areas with cavity structure as water warms through 60s.

Live bait fishing in deeper water adjacent to cavity structure produces large pre-spawn flatheads.

Spawn

Conservation window
66–78°F (peak 70–75°F)

Active spawning behavior. Cavity spawners with male parental care. Spawning sites often re-used year after year.

Trophy flatheads (50+ lbs) take 15–25 years to grow. Conservation-minded anglers practice C&R for trophy fish year-round.

Conservation context

Trophy flatheads (50+ lbs) take 15–25 years to grow. Conservation-minded anglers practice C&R for trophy fish year-round.

Post-Spawn

Recovery feeding
78–86°F (~14 days)

Males guard nests; females depart after spawning. Flatheads return to deep haunts 2–3 weeks post-spawn.

Live bait at deep cavities produces year-round; post-spawn fishing is among the most productive of the year.

Summer Pattern

Standard patterns
Above 86°F

Fish disperse to summer habitat and feeding patterns. Spawn cycle complete until following year.

Standard summer fishing tactics apply.

Full Flathead Catfish spawn guide →Full Southern Plains / Ozark / Arkansas River System spawn calendar →