The freckled madtom is a freshwater species found across the eastern United States; it is common across most of its range.

[2][3] Other areas it is found include Oklahoma, southeastern Iowa, central Kansas, Arkansas, Georgia, and western Tennessee.

[6] This range has been identified since at least 1980; the current distribution is similar to the historical one, though some small extensions have been driven north, possibly as a result of global warming.

[3] Human litter may be a potential disturbance to the species; young and breeding adult male individuals have often been found in beverage cans and other human-created debris.

[4] It may be difficult to determine range expansion, though, because of its small population sizes in certain areas, including central Oklahoma.

[4] The freckled madtom is known to inhabit fast-moving and permanently moving streams that are medium to large in size.

To aid in devouring victims, this catfish has venom glands along smooth spines on the pectoral and dorsal fins.