Channel Catfish fishing
Ictalurus punctatus. Deeply forked tail, unlike the rounded or square tails of bullhead catfish.
Channel Catfish fishing uses a diving crankbait or a chicken liver on 10 to 20 lb line, at dusk and at night. Channel catfish are not known to spawn in most lowland lakes, so those fisheries depend on repeat stocking, and WDFW plants both dinner-size and trophy fish to keep them going.
Published by Fishypedia · Sources last checked September 19, 2026
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
- Active times
- Dusk and Night
- Line
- 10–20 lb
- Hook sizes
- Size 4 to 2/0 for smaller fish, 4/0 to 6/0 for large channel cats; circle hooks reduce deep hooking
- Stocked in
- 12 states
- Peak in ID
- July
Identification
- Deeply forked tail, unlike the rounded or square tails of bullhead catfish.
- Juveniles are light blue to gray with prominent dark spots along the sides; spots fade and color darkens with age.
- Typically 16 to 24 inches within 2 to 5 years of stocking; fish beyond 30 inches and 30 pounds are documented.
- Rare albino (all-white) individuals turn up in some stocked populations.
Sources: wdfw.wa.gov, accessed September 18, 2026 , iowadnr.gov, accessed September 19, 2026
Top lures
Worked slowly along bottom contours in lake channels and rivers.
Sources: wdfw.wa.gov, accessed September 18, 2026 , ncwildlife.gov, accessed September 19, 2026
Top baits
Chunked onto a circle hook and fished on bottom; scent draws catfish from a distance.
Sources: wdfw.wa.gov, accessed September 18, 2026 , dnr.state.mn.us, accessed September 19, 2026
Line & tackle
- Line
- 10–20 lb
- Rod power
- Sturdy rod and reel fished with a slip-sinker rig on the bottom
- Hook sizes
- Size 4 to 2/0 for smaller fish, 4/0 to 6/0 for large channel cats; circle hooks reduce deep hooking
Sources: dnr.state.mn.us, accessed September 19, 2026 , iowadnr.gov, accessed September 19, 2026 , wildlife.utah.gov, accessed September 19, 2026
Depth by season
Spring
Fish feed heavily on or near bottom ahead of the spawn.
Summer
Early summer continues the spring bite before spawning; fish stay on or near the bottom.
Fall
Can bring a secondary bite as water cools, though generally slower than spring.
Sources: wdfw.wa.gov, accessed September 18, 2026
Stocked behavior
Channel catfish are not known to spawn in most lowland lakes, so those fisheries depend on repeat stocking, and WDFW plants both dinner-size and trophy fish to keep them going. Stocked fish find food on the bottom by taste and smell rather than sight, which is why strong-scented baits fished on or near the bottom out-produce lures.
Sources: wdfw.wa.gov, accessed September 18, 2026 , dnr.state.mn.us, accessed September 19, 2026
Common mistakes
- Using bait that's too mild; stink baits such as cut fish, chicken liver, cheese, shrimp and crayfish blood baits are some of the best natural baits.
- Only fishing during the day; channel catfish feed mostly at night and are especially active from sunset to midnight.
Best time to fish Channel Catfish
Most commonly stocked in July in Idaho, based on 151 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in September in Michigan, based on 201 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in August in Montana, based on 26 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in May in Nevada, based on 114 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in July in New Mexico, based on 426 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in September in Utah, based on 154 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in May in Wyoming, based on 119 stocking events on record.
Where it's stocked
168 locations shown. Tap a pin for details. · Open this area in Google Maps
Florida
Idaho
Michigan
Montana
Nevada
New Mexico
Ohio
South Dakota
Texas
Utah
Wisconsin
State records
| State | Weight | Angler | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 43.38 lbs | Jessica Walton | Aurora Reservoir | 2010 |
| Idaho | 32.9 lbs | Cody Kastner | C.J. Strike Reservoir | 2022 |
| Kentucky | 32.00 lbs | Kyle Estep South Point, OH | Ohio River | 2004 |
| Montana | 35.18 lbs. | John D. Smith | Colstrip Surge Pond | 2019 |
| New York | 37 lb. 9 oz. | Dylan Kampnich | Black River Bay, Jefferson County | 2025 |
| Utah | 32 lbs. 8 oz. | LeRoy Mortensen | Utah Lake | 1978 |
| Virginia | 31 lbs. 8 oz. | Sue Stanley | Rappahannock River | 1992 |
| Washington | 37.70 lbs | Cole Abshere | Lake Terrell, Whatcom County | 2019 |
| Wisconsin | 44 lbs. 0 oz. | – | Wisconsin River, Columbia County | 1962 |
| Wyoming | 28.52 lbs. | Christian Cosby - Rock Springs, WY | Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Sweetwater County | 2017 |
Common questions
What lures work for Channel Catfish?
Diving crankbait, a crankbait in chartreuse and black/silver. Inline spinner, a spinner in gold and chartreuse: Worked slowly along bottom contours in lake channels and rivers. Soft plastic crawfish, a soft plastic in brown, orange, and black.
What bait works for Channel Catfish?
Chicken liver. Nightcrawler. Cut bait (herring): Chunked onto a circle hook and fished on bottom; scent draws catfish from a distance. Stinkbait/dough bait.
Where do Channel Catfish hold?
Spring: Fish feed heavily on or near bottom ahead of the spawn. Summer: Early summer continues the spring bite before spawning; fish stay on or near the bottom. Fall: Can bring a secondary bite as water cools, though generally slower than spring. Winter: Difficult season to target; catfish activity drops sharply in cold water.
How big do Channel Catfish get?
The Colorado record is 43.38 lbs from Aurora Reservoir in 2010. The Utah record is 32 lbs. 8 oz. from Utah Lake in 1978. The Washington record is 37.70 lbs from Lake Terrell, Whatcom County in 2019. 7 more state records are on this page.