You can find catfish throughout most major waterways in the United States. In Ponds, Rivers and Lakes you’ll always find monster catfish. While you can just blindly throw in your line and catch a big whiskerhead, most of us aren’t that lucky. For more consistent outings you’re better off learning some of my favorite locations.
Where to Find Catfish
1. Look For Curves In The River
Whenever a deep river curves you’re sure to find monster catfish. Carving out natural ditches in the river that are perfect for feeding catfish. As water slams into the curves outside edge it will naturally carve out a hole. These dark hallows of brush and weeds make excellent homes for catfish. As the river continues to curve out the surrounding bank deeper crevices form making the perfect hiding place. Keep an eye out for exposed roots and timber that make natural fish homes.
2. Deep Holes in Rivers
Believe me when I say deep holes often bring in the biggest catfish. If there’s one thing the show Hillbilly Handfishin taught me it’s the importance of finding holes. These self-proclaimed hillbillies caught some monster fish using only their hands and feet. While I’m too much of a coward to try noodling well placed bait should work just as well.
When you find a hole there’s always going to be fish. These deep holes are sometimes difficult to pinpoint, but they’re normally loaded with fish. You’ll not only find catfish there’ll be an abundance of bass as well. Deep water tends to stay cool providing the perfect summer resting area. Holes provide refuge from strong river currents and provide a ton of food for lazy catfish. Most catfish lie almost motionless at the bottom of holes waiting for their next meal to drift by.
Finding holes can get a little difficult when fishing from shore, but there’s a few tricks you can try. Holes are going to form wherever currents wash into the shore. Try looking below dams, narrow chutes and along river bends. If you’re having trouble finding holes try using one of these handheld fish finders.
3. Look For The Deepest Water
In large ponds and lakes look for the deepest water you can find. During most seasons pond catfish will stick to the deepest location. Most of the time you’ll find a decent amount of channel cats and bullheads. Any type of dam or levee will be sure to include a ton of catfish. You might have some trouble fishing deep water during the hotter parts of summer. As the water temperature loses balance less water gets filtered down to the bottom causing an oxygen imbalance. For more info look into the oxygenation of lakes and ponds.
4. Floating Logs and Debris
Always keep an eye out for floating logs and other debris found in the backwaters of larger lakes. As current pours in and the water levels rise wood debris seem to gather in matted clumps. Large areas of debris are going to bring in the baitfish, which further draws in catfish. You know there’s a ton of fish hiding in this cover, but how do you fish it?
Fishing heavy cover causes a lot of trouble for most fisherman. You’ll most likely run into snagging trouble and difficulties pulling in your fish. You can get around this by using the right kind of bait. Use the heavy current to your advantage and let the current pull your lure under the debris. If catfish are present you’ll know almost immediately with fast strikes as soon as your lure touches the bottom.
5. Engineered Structures Along Waterways
Engineers love to use rocks and other cement structures to prevent erosion along shorelines. One of the best places to fish is along causeways and other manmade structures crossing through lakes. The same stones that prevent erosion form natural habitats for small forage fish. With natural cover and dark shade it’s perfect for small baitfish.
Whenever you see baitfish you’re bound to find a few whiskerheads. To narrow down your search focus on breaks in the engineered structure. Look for fallen timber, exposed pipes and maybe even buried fencing. Any structure that breaks the current is sure to have catfish.
Follow The Natural Catfish Patterns
Finding monster catfish is all about understanding your surroundings. You can randomly through your line in the water and find great fish, but understanding patterns is a better approach. Year over year catfish tend to follow the same patterns. So take note of when and where you’re pulling in fish to get an idea of their habits. Once you figure out where they’ll be it’s as simple as throwing in a line.