Catfish are widespread and abundant in Northern California lakes, rivers, sloughs, canals and farm ponds. Despite their unappetizing appearance ans somewhat negative image, catfish are very good eating. (Catfish are not as difficult to clean as one might suspect, either.)
The delicious meals provided by catfish are attested to by the existence of hundreds of catfish farms, primarily in the Southeastern U.S. where these fish are raised and sold to restaurants and food stores. They get large too. California state records for blue and channel catfish are in the 50-60 pound range.
In Northern California waters, anglers distinguish catfish species by head shape, fin pattern, and skin coloration. Channel catfish carry the trademark forked tail and finely spotted flanks, while blue catfish sport a smooth, steely-silver body and a more squared tail.
White catfish are paler, even-toned, and smaller, often under 15 inches when mature. This contrasts with the 25- to 40-inch range typical for channel catfish and the 30- to 50-inch bulk of blue catfish in these rivers.
The dorsal fin profile helps with identification as well. Channel catfish feature a deeply arched back leading into a soft, elongated fin, whereas blue catfish show a more uniform slope from head to tail with a triangular adipose fin and broader head.
Juvenile white catfish often remain in shallower, slower bays and are distinguished by a single, low keel behind their pelvic fins. Noting habitat alongside proportions aids confident identification.
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Catfishing means still fishing. And catfish means warm weather fishing since these critters like warm water and are most active when lakes, ponds and rivers warm up in the late spring, summer and early fall. Boats are not needed for catfishing.
Simply find a spot on shore where you have enough room to cast out your weighted rig. Let it sink to the bottom. Snug up the line. And wait for the prowling whiskerfish to find your offering. A bank, dock or pier where you can sit on a comfortable chair makes things perfect.
The best catfishing and the largest catfish (they can weigh 5, 10, 20 pounds or more) are often caught after dark. From dark to midnight and the several hours before sunup are particularly good. But many catfish, including big ones, are caught on lazy summer afternoons.
Bring several baits along. If one doesn’t produce, try something else. Often, this single maneuver can make all the difference.
When scouting a new fishing location, focus on seams where faster water bleeds into calm eddies, the way rocks create slip currents, and how wind fetches baitfish near tannin-streaked banks. Catfish stack just outside these disruptions, and submerged flats that radiate warmth into deeper holes become prime evening spots.
Reading the river’s pulse requires observing water temperature, color conditions, and previous bite patterns. Small temperature breaks or fresh runoff sharpen catfish activity before they slip into cover, so keeping detailed records of successful spots pays dividends.
Catfish change personalities through the day. They sulk near deep cover under bright sun, but as dusk settles they move up on flats and inside bends to feast, making evening sessions particularly productive.
When fishing rivers, target pockets where tributaries join, undercut banks, or the lee side of midstream rocks. These features funnel bait and oxygen, creating feeding stations catfish patrol without moving far.
Lakes demand a different approach. Chase humps, windblown points, and submerged roadbeds where fish gravitate, mark temperature breaks on sonar, and scout quiet coves with fallen timber.
For trophy catfish, use low-visibility braid rated to 50-pound test, pair it with a stout rod, and present large bait chunks on circle hooks. When a big fish bites, feed line slowly, steer the fish away from snags, keep the drag properly tuned, and only after a long fight should you attempt to land your prize.
Any rod and reel combination that can cast out a rig with a 1/2-6 oz. sinker will do just fine. These include specialized bass fishing tackle, light to medium spinning equipment and surf casting equipment.
In some situations, you’ll probably be better off with a longer rod (7-8 feet), so longer casts are possible. Use monofilament line, at least 10 pound test. But heavier line such as 15-20 pound test is no problem.
Catfish will eat almost anything, and they feed by both sight and smell. Their smell sensors are on their whiskers. In fact, some catfish bait are often referred to as stink baits because, at times, it seems that catfish prefer smelly offerings such as beef liver, coagulated blood, chicken entrails, etc.
In Northern California some of the most successful baits are less repulsive. These include fresh clams (keep them on ice, pry them open with a knife, thread hook through hard outer edges), nightcrawlers, anchovies, red worms, sardine chunks and chicken livers.
A popular alternative to the conventional catfish rig is the sliding sinker rig. (for a specific description, please see Striped Bass section). Some anglers use a treble hook which helps hold on the bait. Use enough weight to get the casting distance you want and to hold the rig on the bottom if there is a current. Some anglers prefer a dipsey sinker. It has a flat metal rim around the edge which makes it flutter up on a quick retrieve, so it’s less likely to get caught in rock crevices and roots.
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Some of the best spots are in the lakes and reservoirs. The Delta and Sacramento Valley rivers are also very good. (Please see the Fresh Water Fishing, Delta Fishing and Central Valley River posts.)
Night fishing is legal in many waters. In the Bay Area some of the best after dark catfish action occurs at Parkway, Chabot, Shadow Cliffs, Del Valle and San Pablo. Check the hours on these waters. Clear Lake, Berryessa, the Delta, Pine Flat, Don Pedro and New Melones can be fished all night. Sacramento area anglers can pursue big whiskerfish at night at Black Butte, East Park, Camp Far West, Bullards Bar, Shasta, and foothill farm ponds.
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The first step in catfish cleaning is skin removal. To skin a catfish, cut through the skin all around the fish just below the gill cover. Then using a pliers, pull the skin down the fish while holding the fish’s gills. Be careful not to be poked by the sharp pectoral and dorsal fin spines.
Some people nip these off with wire cutters. For larger fish it is suggested that the fish be nailed (through the head) to a tree trunk or fence post using an adequately sized spike. The skinned catfish can then be filleted or steaked. (Please see Fish Cleaning Section for more details). Catfish skin is flaky, mild and has a moist texture. It is good sauteed, fried or poached.
| Product | What It’s For | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Team Catfish Double Action Circle Hook | Purpose-built circle hook; self-setting on the run | ~$10 |
| Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 6500 C3 | The classic big-water catfish reel — bulletproof, high line capacity | ~$97 |
| Ugly Stik Tiger Fishing Rod | Near-indestructible heavy rod for big channel cats and blues | ~$40 |
| Berkley Gulp! Alive! Waxworms | Scented soft bait that out-fishes cut bait in many situations | ~$13 |
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