I'm not much of a catfisherman (even though I sure catch a heck of a lot inadvertently) so I didn't even know this was a thing. I caught this weird channel cat while walleye fishing on Pymatuning, and was a little creeped out when I pulled it up I have to admit. Is this common in Pymy?

Caught one very similar to that in Lake Arthur about 8 years ago. Sent pictures to PFBC, asking if they had any info on catfish with this coloration. Here we are midway through 2022 and I have yet to hear a reply.
 
Genetic mutation is my guess.
 
Thanks for posting.

I don't do a ton of fishing at Pymy, but have seen quite a few channel cats out of there with that coloration on them that my sons and I have caught.  Not that much of of though - more like normal coloration with a little black or a lot of black.  
 
We have not caught any like that in the south end - only around the spillway.  Not sure if that has anything to do with it or not.