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