Spring Catfish

hms11 · **Joined:** Tue Jun 07, 2022 7:58 am **Posts:** 37

Happy Wednesday Everyone!

Anyone on here target spring cats in the bay?

While I'm waiting for Walleye and Pike to open and on days where Lake O is too rough to take my 16' boat out I was thinking of trying out some spring catfish fishing.

There isn't much knowledge out there for northern catfish fishing, especially in the spring so I figured I would ask here.

I mostly fish the big bay area so I was planning on hitting up the creek and river mouths in that area with some raw chicken, dead minnows or whatever smelly bait I can come up with.

I don't need anyone's secret hotspots or anything like that but if anyone had any general tips or could let me know if my general idea was a decent strategy that would be great.

Thanks!

sinc · **Joined:** Mon Apr 13, 2020 7:45 pm **Posts:** 11

They certainly show up in the napanee River. Can't say about getting good numbers but we have caught them on dead bait and big gobs of worm aswell. They should be around by now I would believe, but all through may they will be in the river.
Good luck and let me know if you have success.

hms11 · **Joined:** Tue Jun 07, 2022 7:58 am **Posts:** 37

Thanks! I went out (and got skunked) for lakers at the gap last weekend but the weather is looking good again for this weekend coming up and I'm thinking of loading up on dead bait and hitting up the rivers and creeks of the Big Bay area.

I'll keep everyone in the loop.

legacy · **Joined:** Tue May 10, 2005 7:55 am **Posts:** 992

It seems often, during early walleye fishing, I see people accidently catching channel cats at the bend on the Napanee River, just before the Hydro Lines going up river.

Good luck Corey and hope to see some pics.

Cheers

hms11 · **Joined:** Tue Jun 07, 2022 7:58 am **Posts:** 37

Hey Paul!
Between you and sinc sounds like I'm going to head down towards the Napanee river this weekend.
Weather looks beauty for Saturday and I know exactly where you are talking about with those Hydro lines. Makes sense too, lots of creek inflows there and some deep holes in the narrow section just before them.
I'll let you know how I make out!

legacy · **Joined:** Tue May 10, 2005 7:55 am **Posts:** 992

Thanks Corey.

Good luck.

Turk32 · **Joined:** Fri Feb 04, 2011 9:42 pm **Posts:** 368

We always get a couple there [ hydro lines ] in May casting or trolling for pickerel....with anything shiny tipped with a worm. And all between 10-15lb. In September I get channels in Big Bay weed lines casting a panther martin/worm, again for pickerel. There are some big ones out there.

hms11 · **Joined:** Tue Jun 07, 2022 7:58 am **Posts:** 37

Well I got out with my young lad for a couple hours last Saturday. Beauty day on the water but no fish. Tried the deep holes and drop offs just south of the powerlines on the bend of the Napanee river.
Was a great day to be out though and we will try again!

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Spring Catfish

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