By Jeff Kurrus
Channel catfish are Nebraska’s last spawners, making them the ideal fish to catch during the summer months — as long as the angler understands what’s going on beneath the water’s surface.
“Catfish spawn in July,” said Nebraska Game and Parks Commission fisheries biologist Daryl Bauer, “which means in June they’re moving shallow.”
Males are the first to arrive, looking for cavities, holes and even riprap to stake their claim. This is when Bauer and his colleagues get a number of reports of surprise catfish catches as males guard their newfound territory and become aggressive as they attempt to coerce a female.
The aggression continues as males fight off other males and even drag females into the shallows, leading to many of the summertime scars that anglers often see on these fish when they’re caught.
“You’ll see all kinds of wounds on catfish,” said Bauer. “They’re very rough on each other.”
To use this aggressive behavior to your advantage, keep baits shallow and off the lake bottom. Close to the bottom is fine, but these predatory fish will gladly feed just above the riprap or submergent vegetation. Topwater also works well, with reports coming from across the state of catfish destroying any number of topwater options during the spawning season.
“Fresh-cut bait is always good,” said Bauer. “Bait doesn’t have to sit in the yard until it stinks. Cut up a bluegill and use it.”
Anglers should also be active, similarly to flipping or pitching for largemouth bass.
“Take a jig and fill it with nightcrawlers,” Bauer added. “This works especially well later into June and July when fish are sitting on the nest. Dangle it right in front of their face.”
These “surprise” catches should encourage anglers to spend some time in the shallow water each year, knowing that middle-of-the-lake casts aren’t nearly as effective. Rest the shoulders and pitch just a few feet from the bank — some of the lake’s biggest fish are just a stone’s throw away.