National Catfish Day is on Friday, June 25, 2027, and it falls on June 25 every year. It celebrates the farm-raised catfish that became a Southern favorite and a major U.S. farm product. Whether fried, blackened or grilled, catfish is a classic of Southern cooking.
When Is National Catfish Day?
It’s June 25. The date comes from a 1987 presidential proclamation. It’s an observance, not a federal holiday, so offices and schools stay open.
History of National Catfish Day
Congress passed House Joint Resolution 178, which named June 25, 1987, as National Catfish Day. It asked the President to issue a proclamation.
President Ronald Reagan signed Proclamation 5672 that same day. It praised the fast growth of catfish farming.
The proclamation shared several facts about the industry at the time:
- Catfish was the third most-eaten finned fish in the U.S. in 1986.
- About 99% of that catfish was farm-raised.
- Farm-raised catfish output grew 1,200% from 1975 to 1985.
- Production costs averaged just 65 cents a pound over the prior eight years.
The proclamation also credited processing plants with creating thousands of permanent jobs. The day has been marked each June 25 since.
Catfish farming today
Catfish is still the leading U.S. aquaculture species. It accounts for 19% of the value of the country’s fish farming, Mississippi State University Extension reports. U.S. catfish sales reached about 322 million pounds in 2023.
Mississippi has led the nation since the late 1980s. It had 29,900 acres of catfish ponds in July 2024. Mississippi, Arkansas and Alabama together hold 91% of U.S. catfish acreage.
Most Mississippi catfish ponds sit in the Delta, in the state’s northwest. Farmers there build levee ponds on heavy clay soil. They fill them with water pumped from wells 50 to 250 feet deep. In east-central Mississippi, about half the ponds fill from rain and runoff instead.
The industry has shrunk in size but grown more efficient. Mississippi acreage peaked at 130,500 acres in 2001, then fell as feed costs rose and cheap imports grew. Yields rose from 3,900 pounds per acre in 2009 to 7,200 in 2023.
Why the Day Matters
The day highlights a farm industry that matters to rural towns, especially in the Mississippi Delta. Many farm, feed mill and processing jobs depend on it.
It’s also a reminder to try a mild, affordable fish. Farm-raised catfish has a clean flavor that works in many dishes.
How to Celebrate National Catfish Day
- Fry it Southern-style: coat fillets in seasoned cornmeal and fry until golden.
- Go lighter: bake, grill or blacken catfish with spices for a lower-fat meal.
- Cook it through: cook fish to 145°F, or until it’s opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- Check the label: look for U.S. farm-raised catfish if you want to support domestic growers.
- Visit a catfish house: many Southern restaurants serve it with hushpuppies, slaw and fries.
- Go fishing: try catching wild catfish at a local lake, following state fishing rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who created the day?
Congress set the date in House Joint Resolution 178. President Reagan then issued Proclamation 5672 on June 25, 1987.
How are catfish farmed?
Most U.S. catfish grow in shallow earthen ponds filled with well or surface water. Newer farms also use hybrid catfish, vaccines and better fish health care to raise yields.
Which state produces the most catfish?
Mississippi. It has led U.S. catfish production since the late 1980s, with most ponds in the Delta region.
What temperature should catfish be cooked to?
Cook catfish to an internal temperature of 145°F. The flesh should be opaque and flake apart easily with a fork.