Channel Catfish

Length: 36 - 53 cm. (14-21 in.)
 

Distribution/Habitat:
Great Lakes and larger lakes and rivers south of the French River and from Lake Nipigon west

Similar fish:

• brown bullhead 

Key identifying characteristics:

• deeply forked tail

The channel catfish ranges from the prairie provinces of Canada to the Great Lakes and the Ottawa-St. Lawrence basins. It is typical of lakes and large rivers, such as Lakes Huron, Ontario, Erie, St. Clair, Simcoe and its drainage system to Georgian Bay, and the French, Ottawa, and upper St. Lawrence Rivers.

The channel catfish inhabits cooler and swifter water than most of Ontario's other catfish. It often occurs downstream from power dams where it finds the fast water it favors.

Suggested places for fishing are:

• in deep holes below riffles
• in the channel
• under drift piles or overhanging banks, or other protected areas.

Still-fishing is the best bet for channel cats, although they will sometimes take spinners and small plugs. Try a live minnow, drifted beneath a small float. Or try slip-sinkers and bottom fishing with:

• crayfish
• earthworms
• large dead minnows
• cheese
• strips of cut herring or smelt
• chicken entrails.

Although channel cats are active feeders all day long, they often bite best during low light periods (dawn and dusk) and even through the night.