|
FWC NAMES TOP 10 CATFISHING SITES
April 4, 2003
CONTACT: Mark Trainor (850) 488-4676
Editor’s Note:
This is the fourth of four feature stories highlighting the best freshwater
fishing spots in Florida. Previous stories in this series highlighted largemouth
bass hot spots, the best black
crappie lakes, and the top
panfish hot spots.
Florida's freshwaters are
perhaps best known for the Florida largemouth bass and black crappie.
However, many anglers prefer to fish for the ever-present catfish.
These anglers find the consistency of catching catfish, the less
stringent regulations, simpler techniques and greater shoreline accessibility
all to be great incentives. Moreover,
there is a diversity of catfish species found in Florida that provide not only
fodder for the deep fat fryer but also trophy opportunities equal to any of
Florida's more heralded species.
The largest of the
state’s catfish are the blue
catfish and flathead
catfish, which are found primarily in north Florida rivers.
State records for these fish are 61.5 and 48.4 pounds, respectively.
Then there is the channel
catfish, the same species raised throughout the south in aquaculture farms
for grocery stores, and its close cousin the white
catfish. The Big
Catch Angler Recognition Program provides certificates for individuals
landing channel cats longer than 31 inches or white cats over 22 inches.
Closely related to these
other catfish are bullheads, which still have the typical catfish whiskers (barbels)
but have a rounded tail, rather than a forked tail.
Brown
and yellow
bullheads are the most common in Florida.
Channel catfish, white catfish and bullheads are good fish for young
anglers to try to catch, because all they need is basic fishing equipment, they
can be caught from shore or a pier and can provide consistent action
Whether you are a catfish
enthusiast or just looking for a little diversity in your fishing opportunities
during one of those times the other fish seem to have lockjaw, you may want to
check out some of these top 10 catfish spots.
Escambia River:
Species: Blue,
channel and flathead catfish.
When: Big channels mid-April through June and early October into November if
the water stays warm. Small catfish
year-round, but expect them to bite slow when it is cold.
Where: Alabama line to the I-10 Bridge.
Apalachicola River:
Species: Channel
and flathead catfish.
When: Big channels late May into early July. Flatheads pick up in April and run into summer months.
Small catfish pretty much year-round, but spring through summer months
are best.
Where: River from Jim Woodruff Dam south, old creek channels, Lake
Seminole backwaters, and around mouths of tributaries.
Choctawhatchee River:
Species: Channel
catfish and bullheads and an occasional sea catfish. Rumor is the blue catfish has become established in the
river.
When: Big channels late May through early July and October into November if
the water stays warm. Small cats
year-round, but expect them to bite slow when it is cold.
Where: Alabama line south to West Bay, and around the mouth of Holmes
Creek and other tributaries.
St. Johns River and
Dunn's Creek:
Species: Bullhead,
channel and white catfish.
When: Big channels early May through June. Small catfish year-round, but
best in spring and fall months.
Where: Dunn's Creek to Lake Crescent, Murphy's Creek from the St. Johns to
Dunn's Creek, and the river from Palatka to Little Lake George.
Try the hole on the north side of Buffalo Bluff Bridge, but bring plenty
of hooks and weights (lots of snags).
Oklawaha River:
Species: Bullhead,
channel and white catfish.
When: Big channels May through June and in October until mid-November.
Small catfish year-round.
Where: Rodman Dam to the St. Johns River and the west end of Rodman
Reservoir to Moss Bluff lock and dam.
Ochlockonee River:
Species: Bullhead,
channel, flathead and white catfish.
When: Beginning April for flatheads, and mid-May into early summer for
channels. Both channels and flatheads bite until the water turns cold in October
or November. Small catfish bite
year-round but slow down in cold months.
Where: River-wide, especially in the Lake Talquin tail race area.
Suwannee/Santa Fe
rivers:
Species: Bullhead,
channel, white and blue catfish
When: Big channels late April through June. Small catfish year-round.
Not sure about the blue catfish patterns yet, but the biggest ones so far
were caught in January and February.
Where: Georgia line south to near the Gulf.
Lake Rousseau:
Species: Bullhead,
channel and white catfish.
When: Big channels starting mid-April through June.
Fall months as the water temperature starts to drop are good too. Small
catfish year-round.
Where: Old river and creek channels in the lake proper.
Haines Creek:
Species:
Bullheads, channel and white catfish.
When: Big channels mid-April through June and October and November as water
temperatures begin to drop. Small
cats year-round, especially where there is water flow.
Where: The creek between lakes Eustis and Griffin, especially below the
lock and dam.
West Lake Tohopekaliga:
Species: Bullhead,
channel and white catfish.
When: Big channels April through June and early October into November as
water temperatures drop. Small catfish year-round.
Where: C-31 Canal, below the Kissimmee River structure, around mouth of and
in Shingle Creek, and in the lake proper around fish attractors.
mat/ois
| 
Vote For Top 100+ Outdoor Sites
