Channel catfish:
By far the most widespread species of catfish in the US, with a native range covering most of the contiguous states. These fish are commonly stocked in ponds, but can be found naturally in many freshwater streams, rivers, and lakes. Channel catfish prefer a clean bottom with sand or gravel, and seek out warm quiet areas away from current. In my experience, channel catfish in reservoirs can often be found in shallow water close to the banks or in the backs of creeks. But in rivers, they typically seek out deeper holes or where they can avoid current.
Blue catfish:
Unlike the channel cat, blue catfish don’t seem to mind current. Being native to the Mississippi river basin and it’s tributaries, blue cats are well adapted to fast moving water. However, blue cats are a versatile species and have proved that they can thrive just about anywhere where there is sufficient food and water quality. Blue catfish tend to move alot more throughout the year than the other two species, so I look for blue cats in a variety of areas depending on the season. Some great places to start are channel edges, dropoffs, creek mouths, humps, long points, mussel beds, the tailwaters behind a dam, and natural or man made structure. Blue catfish are also known to suspend around the thermocline, often intermingling with school of striped bass or other fish. For more details on where I find blue catfish based on seasons, please check here.
Flathead catfish:
Flatheads like blue catfish, are also native to the Mississippi river basin. And like the blue cat, they seem to prefer a little current. But probably the most notable characteristic of flathead catfish is their affinity for structure. Flatheads spend much of their time tucked away in log jams, rockpiles, undercut banks, or other structure. They are quite territorial and will often return to the same area year after year. Flatheads tend to feed at night, and this is probably the best time to fish for them. Find places where baitfish congregate and a flathead will likely be nearby. Likely places are feeder creeks, shallow backwaters, eddies, inside river bends where current is weaker, sandbars, and structure that holds baitfish such as grass or laydowns. In late fall, flatheads begin moving downstream to deeper holes where they will hunker down and become inactive for the winter.
