Yea... what Spur said. There was a time when catfish were true "non-game" fish in the eyes of the state. However not long ago, they declared catfish a "game" species.... although they did it in such a way that they kind of live in both worlds.
For instance I was told that bowfishermen can still shoot catfish... and obviously commercial fishermen can still catch and sell. So it really was kind of a confusing declaration, but that's what I was told directly by TWRA folks.
But for what's it's worth, I don't want 'em in my cast net. They tear it up. On May 3 I made a throw with a cast net beside the short wing wall at Nickajack.... I came up with three HUGE crappie, 3 or 4 spotted bass, a couple of catfish and a bunch of gizzard shad.... everything but threadfin. emoBang