Understanding The Seasonal Movements of Catfish

Summer Period (Includes Summer Peak, Summer, and Postsummer Periods)

Water Temperatures: Annual Maximum, 80°F and Above

General Fish Mood: Positive

The Summer Period includes much of July, August, and September in most of the channel cat’s range. Summer offers prime fishing. Fish are in predictable locations. They feed aggressively, although not all the time. Plenty of food is available, at least during the beginning of summer, so they add much of their year’s growth during this period that doesn’t end until water begins to cool in fall. Find the best holes with the biggest catfish and fish them with the right baits at the right time.

Cooling Period

(Includes the Turnover and Fall Coldwater Periods)

Water Temperatures: Cooling from 80°F

General Fish Attitude: Positive to Neutral to Negative

As late summer slips into fall, longer cooler nights and cool rains lower river temperatures. In early fall, catfish location depends mostly on river level. During stable levels, catfish continue holding in holes where they spent the summer. Heavy rain during September or October may pull catfish upriver. Generally, though, especially when water temperatures begin to cool into the 60°F range, cats move downstream toward bigger, deeper water and deep wintering holes.

Eventually, the biggest, deepest holes concentrate large groups of catfish. As water temperatures continue to fall, catfish activity is confined to the immediate vicinity of the wintering hole. Catfish location can mean good fishing now. Obviously though, fishing the right holes is important.