National Catfish Day is observed annually on June 25 and offers catfish fans the perfect opportunity to try a new recipe, visit a local catfish house or boost their knowledge about the southern staple. This year, Heartland Catfish is also celebrating our 30th anniversary, so this one feel extra special. There is no better way to recognize this milestone than by celebrating the fish that started it all. Below is our official guide to celebrate National Catfish Day, the Heartland Catfish way.
The Roots of National Catfish Day
National Catfish Day was officially established on June 25, 1987, by President Ronald Raegan via Proclamation 5672. The holiday was created to celebrate the booming U.S. Farm-Raised aquaculture industry, which had grown exponentially in the South to provide a stable income for farmers and offer consumers an affordable, sustainable food source.
Our Roots: 30 Years of Heartland Catfish Company
Heartland Catfish Company was founded in 1996 by William Tackett, his son, Jim Tackett, and son-in-law, Joe Walker. Heartland operates in a 135,000 square foot facility that processes between 50 and 65 million pounds of live catfish per year. Despite Heartland itself being founded in 1996, William Tackett and his wife, Marue, began farming in 1948 in Arkansas. Mr. Tackett and his family moved to Belzoni in the Mississippi Delta to farm rice, soybeans and cotton. Then, in 1968, he built his first catfish pond in Humphreys County. The next several years saw the family move to Leflore County and Sunflower County, where they continued to farm rice, corn and soybeans, built more catfish ponds and began a catfish hatchery with brooder and fingerling operations.
The farming operation grew to some 7,500 acres of water for catfish and 10,000 acres of cropland. But, it was difficult to transport the vast quantities of fish to farmer-owned cooperative processors in the area. Mr. Tackett and Tackett Fish Farms launched plans to process their own fish, then in 1996, Heartland Catfish Company was founded. Because of the business and personal principles Mr. Tackett established, Heartland Catfish Company grew rapidly.
As Heartland Catfish Company celebrates its 30th anniversary, journey back to the roots of its founding in the Mississippi Delta and learn about the people, products and processes that make our U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish the most flavorful and reliable in the country. Check out our recent 30th anniversary video to follow along the Heartland Catfish Company journey.
Celebrate National Catfish Day the Heartland Catfish Way
There are countless ways to enjoy this special day, which is why we’ve put together a guide to celebrating the Heartland Catfish way.
Gather Family and Friends Around the Table
At Heartland Catfish Company, family is at the core of everything we do. As a family-owned business, we value quality time together, and one of our favorite ways to spend it is by sharing a meal. Heartland Catfish’s recipe collection, including video tutorials and seasonal favorites, offers step-by-step instructions for making easy, flavorful catfish dishes. You can also find inspiration from The Catfish Institute, which features a wide variety of weeknight-friendly recipes that show off the flavor and versatility of the U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish.
If you are celebrating with friends, a summer cookout is always a crowd-pleaser. Heartland Catfish provides endless options, including a Nashville hot fried catfish or air fryer catfish tacos. If you need more ideas, check out our Pinterest boards that offer great inspiration for your Catfish Day get-together.
Catfish on the Menu: Dine Out and Support Local Businesses
For those who prefer to dine out instead, The Catfish Trail is your curated guide to visiting restaurants that serve U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish. From cozy diners to iconic Southern restaurants, the trail makes it easy to plan a meal out with your family and friends. Whether you choose to enjoy a fried catfish platter or a chef’s signature dish, dining out for Catfish Day is a great way to support local restaurants that proudly serve U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish.
Some of our favorites to visit on the trail include The Catfish Hole in Fayetteville, Ark. and Taylor Grocery in Taylor, Miss. Many of the restaurants featured on The Catfish Trail are family-owned, just like Heartland Catfish Company.
Catfish Trivia: Learn the Facts Behind your Fish
For the curious minds, another way to celebrate National Catfish Day is by diving into the details of the fish itself. Understanding where your food comes from is an important part of choosing what to eat. U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish is a smart seafood choice because it is high in protein, low in mercury and raised on grain-based floating feed with no added antibiotics or hormones. It is also rated as a “Best Choice” by the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch, which makes science-based seafood recommendations for consumers, chefs and businesses.
Heartland’s catfish is carefully raised and managed from egg to harvest, allowing delivery of consistent, high-quality, on-flavor fish year-round.
Learning the benefits of U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish equips you with the knowledge to make smart food choices at the grocery store and when you’re out to eat, and knowledge is power.
Celebrate with Us
Catfish Day is a celebration of community, heritage and farmers who have dedicated their lives to bringing quality fish to American tables. As Heartland Catfish Company celebrates our 30 year anniversary, we invite you to join us in celebrating the day that honors catfish. Whether you are frying some catfish at home, eating along the catfish trail or simply learning more about what makes U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish, we hope this Catfish Day is one to remember. From our family to ours, Happy Catfish Day!
