Tips For Catching Channel Catfish (different Than Blue Catfish, Etc)

Channel catfish are found in many lakes and rivers all over the nation. Channel catfish are classified as scavenger fish and so they will eat most anything that is an easy catch for them and they are attracted to a wide variety of foods. They also have a great sense of smell. It is for this reason that using bait with an odor can be very productive. The larger catfish feed off of other smaller fish both alive and dead while the smaller ones feed off of insects and other invertebrates found on the bottom of the water.

Aside from other fish and insects here is a list of some of the foods that channel catfish will eat:

-Frogs

-Mulberries

-Algae

-Crayfish

-Insect larvae

-Elm seeds

-Worms

Channel catfish can be caught in a variety of different places. For example, one method anglers will use when fishing for this species is to take a boat out into the middle of the water to fish. Others will wad out into waist high water or do their fishing from the lake or river bank. All of these methods are very productive when fishing for this channel catfish.

Experienced anglers know that channel catfish can be found more abundantly throughout certain areas in the lakes and rivers. In other words, they gather together in groups and stay in certain spots instead of swimming around independently. Therefore, the better you know the water you are fishing in, the easier it will be to find and catch these fish. Taking time to observe the lake and rivers will help you determine where the channel catfish are most abundant so you can find the best fishing spots. As with any type of fishing if you are not having any luck in one area, try moving to a new location.

Best Bait to Use for Channel Catfish Fishing

It is important to use the right bait when channel catfish fishing. You need to have an idea of what size fish is in the area of water where you are fishing so you can use bait that is the appropriate size. If the bait is too large the catfish will pass it by. If it is too small you may be missing your chance of catching some of the larger channel catfish that are in search of a

Nightcrawlers
Crawdads
Minnows
Grasshoppers
Stink baits

The more smell the bait has the better results you will normally have because of their keen sense of smell.