| When we talk about classifying catfish lakes we | | | | happen between June and July. In Missouri, Illinois, |
| basically talking about locating different species of | | | | and Iowa The spawn of catfish will occur in June |
| catfish such as channel catfish, blue catfish, and | | | | and July. In Ohio The cats will spawn over a three |
| flathead catfish at different times of the year. | | | | month period between July to early August. In |
| The classifying process is not an exact science | | | | Minnesota and Wisconsin you can expect the |
| because there is not a lot of scientific data that | | | | spawn to be between July to early August also. |
| has been collected about catfish like other game | | | | Manitoba Canada will have a spawn of catfish |
| fish species. Fortunately there is some data that | | | | between July and August. |
| has be collected about the channel catfish, and we | | | | The following information about the types of |
| will use some of that history as reference for our | | | | catfish lakes is to be used as a guide only so you |
| article today. Our article today will focus on the | | | | can classify your local cat fish hole and lakes |
| different types of catfish lakes. | | | | around you. There are no two lakes that are |
| To classify catfish waters is a three part process. | | | | exactly alike but fortunately lakes do fall into |
| When you classify catfish waters for bait fishing | | | | three basic categories which are oligotrophic |
| you compare the type of lake, structure, the | | | | (young lakes), mesotrophic (middle aged lakes), |
| lakes location, and seasonal movements of a | | | | and eutrophic (old lakes). Some lakes such as |
| particular species of catfish such as channel | | | | oligotrophic lakes will not hold any catfish and can |
| catfish, blue catfish, and flathead catfish. If this | | | | be eliminated them from you catfish lake |
| sounds like a bit of work it is. To be a very good | | | | classification list. Understanding the idea |
| catfish angler it does take a bit of practice and | | | | temperature range for catfish is a key factor |
| trial and error just like any other sport. For | | | | when you start to learn the catfish water |
| example your best pro athletes spend hours in | | | | classification for bait fishing. All baseline data will be |
| the weight room and with conditioning to get | | | | developed based on knowing this information first. |
| ready for the next season. The ones that | | | | Catfish will react differently when the water |
| prepare the best perform the best, it's no | | | | temperature moves below or above their ideal |
| different with fishing for catfish, or any other fish | | | | temperature and you will be predicting their |
| species for that mater. | | | | movements and feeding patterns based on this |
| Before we start on the different lake | | | | information. |
| classifications lets talk briefly about the idea water | | | | To classify a lake into one of the three lake |
| temperatures for channel catfish, blue catfish and | | | | classifications listed in the last paragraph there are |
| flat head catfish. This information is vital when you | | | | some specific factors you need to consider such |
| are preparing to identify ideal bait fishing for | | | | as how many game fish there are compared to |
| catfish waters. The ideal temperature range for all | | | | the number of bait fish, the amount and type of |
| catfish is between 75degrees to 80 degrees. | | | | aquatic vegetation, and other critical structure |
| When the water temperature rises to 75degree | | | | habitat factors. This information will be used in |
| all catfish will start their spawning. This will occurs | | | | combination of seasonal movements to determine |
| at different times, depending where the catfish | | | | where catfish will be located and what type of |
| waters are located. Typical spawning periods for | | | | catfish bait to use when you go bait fishing for |
| Florida are the months, of April, May and June. | | | | your particular species of catfish. |
| The catfish spawning times for Alabama and | | | | Well that concludes my article today about |
| Georgia are May and June. In Texas and | | | | classifying catfish waters. May you have the best |
| Oklahoma catfish spawn between May and June. | | | | of luck on your next fishing trip! Have a great day! |
| In Kentucky and Tennessee the spawn will | | | | |