National Catfish Month

Categories:: Food & Beverage
Tags:: Appreciation Food
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every August
Holiday emoji:: 🎣

National Catfish Month reels in a month-long celebration every August, spotlighting this delicious and versatile freshwater fish. Enjoy its mild flavor and nutritional benefits in countless dishes, from crispy fried to grilled and baked. Dive into new recipes, support local aquaculture, and discover why catfish is a beloved staple across the nation.

Deals
Platforms
Social
Hero
History
Timeline
Businesses
FAQs
Importance
Celebrate
Related

Expected National Catfish Month Deals

Throughout National Catfish Month in August, expect restaurants and grocery stores to feature special promotions on this ‘All-America fish.’ While specific 2027 deals are yet to be announced, past years have seen chains like Long John Silver’s and Captain D’s offer discounted catfish platters and combos. Major grocery retailers such as Kroger, Publix, and Walmart often run sales on fresh and frozen U.S. farm-raised catfish fillets. Look for special bundles from seafood suppliers like Louisiana Fish Fry Products and Zatarain’s, encouraging home cooks to experiment with new preparations. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as August approaches.

Platform Guide for National Catfish Month

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalCatfishMonth. Share mouth-watering photos of your favorite catfish dishes, from classic fried to gourmet preparations.

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalCatfishMonth. Film quick recipe tutorials, taste tests, or explain the benefits of farm-raised catfish in a fun, engaging way.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalCatfishMonth. Post about local restaurants offering catfish specials or share educational content about sustainable catfish farming.

National Catfish Month Hero

The American Catfish Farmer

The true heroes of National Catfish Month are the dedicated American catfish farmers who sustainably raise this 'All-America fish.' For decades, these farmers, primarily in the Southern U.S., have perfected aquaculture techniques to produce high-quality, nutritious catfish. Their commitment to responsible farming practices ensures a consistent supply of delicious fish while supporting rural economies. They embody the pride and hard work that makes U.S. farm-raised catfish a national culinary treasure.

History of National Catfish Month

National Catfish Month is also known as National Farm-raised Catfish Month, and it was first celebrated in 2013. Catfish is a beloved meal in America, so much so that June 25 was announced as National Catfish Day in the 1980s by President Ronald Reagan. In either case, whether you choose to celebrate the day or the month, the goal of both the celebratory occasions is to honor the fish and the farmers/suppliers who work hard day and night to spread its goodness. The Catfish Institute (TCI), first established in 2007, is a nonprofit organization that works to represent catfish farmers and the work they do to contribute to America’s local and international economy. Catfish used to be a Southern staple and are now one of the largest aquaculture products. Most of the catfish in America are farm-raised on family-owned farms in Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi. In honor of such aspects, each year, TCI awards a farmer the title of “Catfish of the Year” for their hard work.

Farmers grow their catfish on a diet of fish grain pellets made of corn and soybeans — both of which are also supplied by local American farmers. Once catfish grow to a considerable size, they are taken and delivered to processing plants in rural and urban areas. Once the processing is finished, the final catfish products are delivered to the local markets all over the country. The whole process, right from growth and production to processing, involves many economical and employment opportunities for several people. Apart from all these benefits, catfish also make for healthy meals. The fish are rich in protein, vitamin B12, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids. The American Heart Association also states that in order to prevent coronary heart disease, people should have two servings of catfish every week. Furthermore, feeding catfish to children aged two and above will help in their growth and development.

National Catfish Month timeline

1949

Catfish Captured in Arkansas

The catfish is first captured in the Red River pools by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

1980s

President Reagan’s National Catfish Day

After realizing the economical benefits catfish lends to America, President Reagan declares June 25 as National Catfish Day.

2007

The Catfish Institute Formed

The Catfish Institute is established in order to promote and recognize the works of catfish farmers.

2013

First National Catfish Month

Congress designates August as National Catfish Month.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Catfish Month

Local restaurants can celebrate National Catfish Month by featuring special catfish dishes on their menus, from classic fried platters to innovative gourmet preparations. Grocery stores can highlight U.S. farm-raised catfish with in-store promotions, recipe cards, and cooking demonstrations. Seafood markets can partner with local catfish farms for ‘meet the farmer’ events, educating customers on the benefits of sustainably sourced fish. Consider hosting a catfish cooking competition or a tasting event to engage the community and showcase the versatility of this beloved fish.

National Catfish Month FAQs

When is National Catfish Month?

National Catfish Month runs throughout August 2026, offering 31 days to celebrate this versatile freshwater fish. It’s the perfect time to explore new recipes and support American aquaculture.

How much catfish is consumed in the U.S. annually?

The U.S. catfish industry produces hundreds of millions of pounds of farm-raised catfish annually. While consumption figures fluctuate, it remains one of the most popular aquaculture products in the country, with millions enjoying it regularly.

What are the health benefits of eating catfish?

Catfish is a lean protein source, rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, B12, and phosphorus. It’s known to be heart-healthy, with doctors recommending it to reduce the risk of cardiac issues.

What is the difference between wild-caught and farmed catfish?

Wild-caught catfish typically refers to fish caught in natural waterways, while farmed catfish are raised in controlled pond environments. U.S. farm-raised catfish are fed a high-quality grain-based diet, leading to a consistent, mild flavor and texture.

How To Celebrate National Catfish Month

Have catfish at least twice a week
What’s a National Catfish Month celebration without having some catfish every week? Catfish tend to have a clean taste as compared to other seafood items, and it is also generally healthier. So, take this month as the perfect chance to have catfish at least twice a week to nourish your palate and health.
Try a new recipe
One of the trademarks of catfish is its versatility. There are so many flavors you can try it with, be it spicy or tangy or a mix of both. Catfish is eaten in many countries of the world, so you can try a new dish every other week all August long.
Use #NationalCatfishMonth
Share the joys of catfish by using #NationalCatfishMonth on your social media platforms. Promote the works of your local farm-raised catfish farmers. It will help give America’s economy a further boost too.

5 Facts About Catfish Farming That Will Blow Your Mind

Almost 90,000 acres for catfish farming
America has 89,400 acres dedicated to catfish farming.
Farm-raised catfish are more nutritionally consistent
Scientifically, farm-raised catfish are more nutritionally consistent as opposed to wild catfish because the former has a fixed balanced diet and water habitat.
Farm-raised catfish are healthier
Catfish raised on a farm are much healthier because they are less likely to have heavy metals and other unhealthy components in them.
Catfish need a lot of space
For a catfish to grow to its full potential, you need to provide it with a spacious habitat, which means that the pond should not be overstocked with other fish or items.
The biggest catfish producer
Mississippi holds the title of producing and supplying America with 55% of all catfish stock.

Why We Love National Catfish Month

It’s a celebration of catfish
Catfish is a winning dish in all aspects. It is a healthy meal that provides the right set of minerals, vitamins, and fats to help with growth, development, and a healthy heart. Because it generally has a clean taste, it also goes great with a variety of flavors and cooking techniques.
It’s a celebration of catfish farmers
National Catfish Month and National Catfish Day honor all catfish farmers in the country. Raising catfish is hard work, and producing tons of catfish every year is even harder. Catfish farmers have to stick to strict standards in order to ensure that their catfish harvest is healthy and tasty at all times.
It’s a celebration of a bright future
Being of sound health will allow us to have a bright future. Catfish benefits allow us healthier bodies, but at the same time, it also significantly boosts our local and international economies. It’s a win-win situation all over.