The Ictaluridae are catfish native to North America. The genuses include the Amerian catfish (gen. Ictalurus ), the bullhead (also known as chucklehead) catfish (gen. Ameiurus ) and the mad tom (gen. Notorus ) catfish.

The channel catfish is a prime food fish of the United States south, prized by those who fished for sport and raised in aquaculture. Channel catfish can grow quite large, weighing over a dozen kilograms, while other members of the Ictalurus genus, though less prized as food fish, can grow to weights of many dozen kilograms.

The American catfish has acquired an association with American southern folklore which exceeds its place as a mere food fish. The image of cane pole fishing for catfish at a proverbial lazy stream has become a stand-by of southern Americana. Catfish sporting culture features even today use of arcane "stink baits" and elaborate night-fishing techniques, giving catfish fishing a uniqueness in approach and emphasis as contrasted with other the technology-oriented realms of fishing endeavor such as bass fishing.

The bullheads are small catfish which at maturity often weigh less than half a kilogram, while the madtom is in general much smaller. As with other species of catfish, these species have barbels (commonly referred to as "whiskers" as applied to catfish) and the ability to inflict painful stings with poison embedded in fins.

In some areas, the bullhead is seen as a desirable fishing quarry, for its fighting qualities exceed its size. In other areas, it is seen as a nuisance fish due to its efficient bait-stealing qualities.

Both bullheads and mad toms tend to be found in small streams and ponds, but are also known in larger bodies of water. Channel catfish, bullheads and mad toms are "bottom feeders" with widely varied diets, centered upon scavenging.