To explore the spawning preferences of yellow catfish () for artificial fish nests during the breeding period, preferences for different nest colors and materials were determined under different water temperatures in June to July 2018. The experimental spawning fish nests were hemispherical (25 cm in diameter and 12 cm deep). Gravel palm and plastic fish nests (4-6 pieces) were placed in the same specification. Additionally, 6-layer nylon fishing nets (30 cm×40 cm) and palm pieces of fish nests (30 cm×40 cm) were folded. In the cement tank (290 cm×120 cm×100 cm), the egg-laying preference experiment was carried out under two temperature intervals (24-26℃ and 28-32℃). The ratio of males to females in the experimental compartment was 1:1. The body length and weight of females was (167.8±19.0) mm and (99.9±21.7) g, respectively, whilst for males the body length and weight was (235.1±18.8) mm and (188.5±38.1) g, respectively. The results showed that the average number of eggs in the hemispherical brown palm (no stone) fish nest, under a water temperature of 24-26℃, was 628.49 grains/m² and the average egg attachment rate per unit area was 2.77%. The average egg attachment in the hemispherical palm (no stones) fish nest, under a water temperature of 28-32℃, was 225.48 grains/m² and the average egg attachment rate per unit area was 1.40%. After analyzing the experimental results, it was concluded that 24-26℃ is the optimal water temperature range for yellow catfish spawning. The analysis also showed that yellow catfish have a significant preference for spawning in brown fish nests (<0.05), compared to gray, pink, yellow, and green nests. Furthermore, the sticking effect of eggs on the hemispherical palm (no stone) fish nest was significant (<0.05). The diminishing preference order for other fish nests was:hemispherical palm (with stones) > flat palmettos > hanging palms > hemispherical plastics > cement pool. For sticking eggs, the top preference is the brown hemispherical palm fish nest under the water temperature environment of 24-26℃. The results of this study have important significance for guiding the artificial reproduction of yellow catfish, spawning field repair, and resource proliferation of sticky egg fish.