By Author John Olsen
Spring is often a tough time for fishing in the West. It can be tough to target many fish species between high water and muddy conditions. Still, catfish is a prime target for fishermen in springtime. Channel Cats like to spawn when temperatures reach around 75 degrees, and in Utah, Idaho, and the western states, which is often early summer, depending on runoff and weather. Prespawn cats like to cruise in the muddy flats looking for food in the spring and trying to pack on the pounds before they spawn.
Some of the keys to finding good Spring cats is to locate the deep pools the catfish have spent the winter in. Cats will spend winters in deep holes where the water is warmer in winter. When spring hits and temperatures climb, they search out the nearest mud flats and feed in preparation for the spawn. Mudflats adjacent to this deep water are a great place to start looking for the big cats. If you're fishing from shore, you may have to move around to find where the bigger cats congregate. If you are on a boat, using your sonar to find the deeper part of the river or lake will help pin down the larger cats on the flats.
Another productive location is at the mouth of the river if fishing a Reservoir or lake. The flat at the mouth of the river is an excellent spot for pre-spawn cats. Whether on foot or in a boat, you can reach the area near the mouth and find the feeding cats.
During the summer months, it's best to fish at night for cats; however, in spring, when water temps are still low, later in the day and evening is when pre-spawn cats are active. Nights can also produce, but spring is a great time to take advantage of activity, not in the middle of the night.
Bait for cats in the spring is just the same for those on summer nights. My favorites are chicken liver, Magic Bait King Kat Chicken Blood, or shrimp/nightcrawler combo. The Shrimp/nightcrawler has worked better in spring for me.
Utah Lake, Cutler Dam, the Bear River in Cache Valley, Willard Bay, Jordan River, Green River Lower, and Lake Powell are some of the best catfishing in Utah. In Idaho, some of the best catfishing are the Snake River, the Boise River (the best for large cats is where the Boise River Runs into the Snake River), Lake Lowell near Nampa or Milner Reservoir located near Burley, Oneida Narrows, and Reservoir in southeast Idaho. There are too many smaller lakes in Idaho that carry cats to name.
The 2 main species of cats in the Western US are the Channel Cat and the Black Bull Head Brown Bull Head; however, Flathead catfish are found in Idaho, with the rare Blue Catfish in the southwest part of Idaho.
There are many different setups for catfishing, but I find the best is the Slip Rig. Still, I will use a breakaway rig if I am in a heaver brush or rocks to save on retying over and over. I like a 20 lb Braided line and a 10 lb test leader on a heaver pole for cats.
Slip Rig
Breakaway Rig
Best Catfish Recipe EVER!
Dorito Crust Catfish
Ingredients
4 catfish fillets (6 ounces each)
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1/3 cup Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons 2% milk
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
4 Nacho cheese Dorito chips crushed (Cool Ranch works excellent as well)
Oil for frying
Lemon wedges
Directions:
Sprinkle catfish with salt. Mix the eggs, mustard, and milk in a bowl.
Place flour and Dorito in separate bowls. Coat fillets with flour, then dip in egg mixture and coat with pretzels.
Heat 1/4 in. oil to 375° in a skillet. Fry fillets, a few at a time, until fish flakes easily with a fork, 3-4 minutes on each side.
Drain on paper towels. Squeeze lemons on fish
Serve with Chips, fries, or coleslaw.
Enjoy!!
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