Channel Cats Awaken

During the first few fishing trips of the year, most anglers are just happy to get out of the house and enjoy a nice day on the Lake or River. For those though that know where to go and what to fish for, early spring fishing can produce some awesome catches. This is especially true for the channel catfish. Although catfish are often considered a summer fish, late winter and early spring can produce some of the best catfishing action of the year and if you like big fish this is the time to go!

Several conditions converge in early spring to set the table for outstanding catfishing. First, large numbers of bait fish die each winter in area lakes and river as the ice melts. Winter die-offs of shad, perch etc.. occur naturally in
lakes and rivers due to their low tolerance for prolonged cold. An abundance of winter-killed bait fish provides plentiful food for a scavenger like the catfish and it sets the stage for a feeding frenzy.

Catfish need an additional trigger to begin their feeding frenzy, however, and this trigger is rising water temperatures. Warm, sunny days or warm rains in early spring rapidly heat shallow waters of a lake
or river flat creating areas which are warmer than the remainder of the lake or river. When this occurs, catfish move out of the deeper, colder areas of the lake to gorge themselves on winter-killed bait fish in these relatively warm, shallow waters.

Some of the best days to fish for channel cats are warm, windy days beginning soon after the ice is gone. Days following a warm rain can be especially good also. A rise in water temperature of just a few degrees in the shallow areas of a lake is all it takes to hold some of these big channel cats. Water should be very shallow, from 1 to 6 feet deep. Large expanses of shallow water warm more rapidly and will provide better fishing than small areas of shallow water. Large, shallow coves or shallow mud flats and upper arms of the lake are good places to look at.

Because catfish are feeding on winter-killed fish, primarily shad, cut shad is the best bait. While pieces of fresh shad often work best during summer, the nastiest smelling shad you can find will be more enticing to
catfish this time of year. Fresh shad or dead minnows will also work but the smellier the better. Cut shad into several pieces and thread a piece onto a hook. Hook size can very as to what size fish you are targeting. Use a sliding sinker for weight so that catfish can run with the bait without feeling resistance. Cast the bait into shallow water and leave your reel in free-spool. This will allow catfish to take line freely for a few seconds before you set the hook. Catfish will drop the bait if they feel any resistance.

If you fish in one spot for 30 minutes with no luck, try somewhere else. Once you find the right spot, action will be fast. Here is another tip. Because catfish will be in shallow water, often less than 3 feet deep, it is important to be quiet. Catfish can be easily spooked in these shallow waters by a boat motor or activity on the bank.

The best lakes for early spring catfishing will be ones with long shallow flats or coves. River with shallow eddies or mud flats will also work best as mud will warm up faster and help hold live bait fish as well. Some of the most exciting Channel catfishing action of the year will begin at this time so start your spring fishing a little early
this year, you may be surprised with what you catch!