Review Fishing Guide for current rules and regulations » Diet: The best fishing periods for channel catfish are from dusk until midnight or when water levels are rising (i.e., after rains have washed food into the lake or stream).

They are typically pursued by anglers using live, dead or cut bait, though anglers have long used all manner of bait presented on the bottom - cheese, shrimp, liver, spawn - or commercially prepared blood or scent baits. Fishing:įound nearly statewide, channel cats inhabit both lakes and streams. Two dorsal fins including one adipose fin, barbels (whisker-like sensory organ) around the mouth, slender body with speckled sides. Ictalurus punctatus - scientific name Identification:Ĭhannel cats, with its deeply forked tail, are the most popular of the catfish. Aggressive catfish have been caught on most types of fast moving bass lures so don't under estimate their ability to catch live bait.Illustration by Joseph R. Capitalizing on this sense is the primary weapon in your search for these creatures. Their strongest sense is smell which they use to locate potential food sources. They will generally eat anything that can get in their mouth. Most catfish are considered bottom feeders to one extent or another. Additional catfishing information resources.

Big giant catfish put up a very noble fight once hooked. There are even species which spend a limited amount of time on dry land.

Catfish are found in all types of water including ponds, streams, lakes and rivers throughout Michigan. Adults range in size from less than a pound to hundreds of pounds. There are many species of catfish and even more ways to catch them. The Barron Lake gave up the state record flathead catfish.Įnjoy an article about MI catfish fishing by Ernest Miller. The state record channel catfish (2) were caught from Houghton Lake.

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