To honor the hard work and innovations of America’s catfish farmers, the month of August was designated by congress as National Catfish Month. Here are 
some fun facts about catfish:
- Ninety-four percent of all U.S. farm-raised catfish are raised in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi.
- Today, the farm-raised catfish industry in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi employs nearly 10,000 people and contributes more than $4 billion to each state’s economy.
- Catfish are named for their cat-like whiskers that protrude from their snouts.
- It takes about 18 to 24 months for catfish to reach an average size of 1½ to 2 pounds each.
- Farm raised catfish are taught to eat feed pellets that float on top of the water. Wild catfish are bottom feeders.
- One catfish can lay up to 4,000 eggs a year per pound of body weight.
- Catfish is a delicious source of lean protein that is low in saturated fat. It is also packed with omega-3 fatty acids.
- Catfish is now the 5th most popular fish in America.
- Catfish are raised in fresh water ponds that are about four to six feet deep.
- Farm-raised catfish feed is made from soybean meal, with some added corn and rice ingredients.
- The National Audubon Society, Monterey Bay Aquarium, and Environmental Defense all recommend farm-raised catfish as a safe environmental choice.
So, are you going to have your catfish fried, blackened, grilled, broiled, baked, stuffed, or put it in your fajitas? All sounds good to me. Let’s start eating!
