Mad- Toms

new to area and this forum, does anyone know any place where I can catch or buy madtoms,any info. will be greatly appreciated.

outdoorperson, If you are going to trap or net them be sure that it is not listed as trout waters as I believe that you are not allowed to do so in pre trout season. just saying  sam

     
 
Did yinz know........
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Mountain madtom
The mountain madtom (Noturus eleutherus) is listed as an endangered species in Pennsylvania, where it continues to exist only in French Creek in Mercer and Erie counties and was historically recorded in the Shenango River in Crawford County.
The tiny catfish grows no longer than 3 inches.
 

 
Brindled madtom
The brindled madtom (Noturus miurus) lives in riffles and pools below in fast-flowing streams in the Lake Erie and Ohio River drainages. It is listed as threatened in Pennsylvania.
It grows to 5 inches maximum.
 

 
Tadpole madtom
The tadpole madtom (Noturus gyrinus) is listed as endangered in Pennsylvania, but is considered secure globally. In Pennsylvania, today it is known to inhabit streams in Erie and Crawford counties, but historically was found in many other waterways in the state.
It prefers slow-running, weedy, shallow areas of streams. Sometimes it occurs in great abundance.
It grows to no more than 3.5 inches.
 

 
Northern madtom
In Pennsylvania, the northern madtom (Noturus stigmosus) is another fish species found only in French Creek in the northwestern corner of the state. It is listed as endangered in Pennsylvania, but also occurs in other states.
The northern madtom grows to 4 inches maximum.
 
 
Reference: http://www.pennlive.com/w...nnsylvania_stonec.html
 
                 https://www.pacode.com/se...apter75/chap75toc.html

Interesting topic that brought back memories of watching my buddy being questioned first, the quantity of minnows he had in his bucket and after producing a bait shop receipt, questioned if he had any Madtoms among his bait.        Saaay what??? 
 
We were fishing French Creek in the Village of Sugar Creek just up the RR tracks from the curve on Causeway Drive.

BTDT covered it pretty well. Most of PA’s Madtoms are listed due to their limited range and thus illegal to harvest. The two that are legal to harvest are Margined Madtoms (further southeast in the state, mainly the Mon drainage I believe) and Stonecats which are the largest species in that genus, but I’ve still never encountered any in PA over years of seining, microfishing, and snorkeling in streams that are in their range. Better off just to use common/secure species like Creek Chubs and Central Stonerollers around here.

FishinGuy
Maybe the madtoms I trapped were baby bullheads. About 2.5" long and jet black. Had a straight tail like either a bullhead or Flathead.

Good chance they were if you were getting them in SWPA. Lots of low-gradient, warmwater Bullhead creeks around here. For future reference, all Madtoms have a fused adipose fin that connects directly to the caudal fin. Best way to distinguish them from other Cats when small.

outdoorperson
Divemaster, I know what chubs,dace,suckers,are but what are central stonerollers.

Stonerollers are in the same family (Cyprinidae) as Minnows, Dace, and Chubs. In this area they’re generally a tannish color but can range from pale silvery-tan to deep brown. They have more of a downturned mouth than other Cyprinids, almost like a Sucker, and average between 3-10”. They also develop tubercles (“horns”) around spawning time in the spring. I’ve seen a lot of guys mistake whole buckets of Stonerollers for Creek Chubs, but if you google a picture of each they’re not difficult to tell apart.

mr.crappie
btdt, You just brought back memories of a trip to French Creek when I was younger ( 60 yrs ago to be exact) when I caught a small fish approx. 5 or 6"  long that we didn't know what it was & a guy came over & told us that we had to throw it back because it was a young lake Sturgeon, we did but to this day I don't know for sure that it was. I did run around bragging to everyone that I caught one.  lol  sam
 
 
Sam, sixty years ago I was catching Red Tails, Hornyhead Chubs and, and a occasional Small Mouth Bass from French Creek.  The great thing about French Creek today, it is now considered pristine waters as compared to those days gone by.
 
The Allegheny River was certainly known to contain Sturgeon at but the only thing I ever saw in French Creek between the river and the old 13th ST Bridge, was white fish.

There is canoe launch on French Creek in Utica borough. Once you get down into Franklin, there is the city owned boat launch on 3rd street. Also, there is a canoe launch on the Cranberry side of the river. Look for the Saltbox style home at Samuel Justus bike trail just off 322. You can also fish at Riverfront Park which is owned by the city.

Stoneroller looks like the hornyhead chub don't get them confused cause the hornyhead chub is also endangered.
http://www.fishandboat.co...uments/05nornyhead.pdf

If your just going for walleye or anything in the waters. A regular chub or minnow will do. Doesn't have to be a specific fish to work.