Catfish are often associated with warm weather
Do Catfish Bite in Cold Weather? Yes! (But Differently)
Yes, catfish absolutely bite in cold weather. This includes blue catfish, channel catfish, flathead catfish, and others. However, their behavior changes significantly as water temperatures drop:
- Slower Metabolism: Like most fish, catfish become more lethargic in cold water. Their metabolism slows, meaning they require less food and feed less frequently.
- Location Changes: They seek out the warmest, most stable water available. This usually means moving to deeper water areas.
- Feeding Frequency: They feed less often than in the warmer months.
- Bite Subtlety: Their bites can be much lighter and harder to detect. Patience is key!
So, while they do bite, you need to find them, understand their lethargic state, and present your bait effectively.
Where Do Catfish Go in Winter? Finding Wintering Holes
When water temperatures drop (often below 50°F), catfish seek refuge in specific areas called “wintering holes.” These are typically the deepest parts of a lake, pond, or river, where the water temperature is most stable and slightly warmer than shallower areas.
Look for catfish in these winter locations:
- Deep River and Creek Channels: The main channel often holds the deepest, most stable water.
- Drop-offs: Steep changes in depth, especially around humps, points, or structure.
- Deep Bends: The outside bends of rivers are often deeper.
- Oxbow Lakes: Old river channels that have been cut off.
- Warm Water Discharges: Areas near power plants or water treatment plants that release warm water (can be hotspots!).
- Natural Springs: Springs can provide a source of slightly warmer water.
- River/Creek Mouths: Where rivers or creeks flow into a larger lake or reservoir.
- Bluffs and Bridges: Steep shoreline sections near bluffs or bridge pilings often indicate deep water.
- Reservoir Fingers: The deepest areas near the main body of a reservoir.
- Submerged Timber
(Tip: A standard lake might have several wintering holes. Once you find one, it’s likely to hold catfish year after year. Use
Best Time and Conditions for Winter Catfishing
Best Time of Day: While catfish can bite anytime, midday during the winter can sometimes be productive, especially on sunny days when the water might warm slightly. However, the hours around sunrise and sunset can also be good, as these are natural feeding periods.
Best Months: Late fall through early spring (February is often a good month in the south).
Water Temperature: While catfish can bite in very cold water, activity often picks up slightly when water temperatures are in the 40s and low 50s (°F). Below 40°F, activity slows significantly, especially for flatheads.
Weather Conditions:
- Stable Weather: Periods of stable, moderate weather are often better than drastic temperature swings.
- After a Cold Front:
Fishing can sometimes improve a day or two after a cold front passes, once the weather stabilizes. - Barometric Pressure: Many catfish anglers believe that a stable or slowly falling barometer is better than a rapidly rising one.
How to Catch Catfish in Cold Weather: Techniques and Tips
Catching catfish in winter isn’t necessarily harder, just different. They tend to gather in larger concentrations in their wintering holes, so finding them is key. Once you do, use these techniques
1. Find the Deep Wintering Holes:
- Fish Finder/Sonar: Essential for locating deep water, structure, and potential schools of catfish or baitfish. Use your fish finder to identify channels, drop-offs, and the deepest holes.
- Live Scope/Forward-Facing Sonar: Can help you pinpoint schools of catfish or baitfish in real-time.
- Topographic Maps: Study lake or river maps to identify potential deep-water areas.
2. Understand Catfish Behavior in Winter:
- Stacking Up: Catfish often “stack up” in large groups within wintering holes.
- Temperature Sensitivity: They seek stable, warmer water. Even a degree or two difference can concentrate fish.
- Shallow Flats (on Warmer Days): On unusually warm winter days, catfish might move temporarily onto adjacent shallow flats to feed, especially blue catfish.
3. Use the Best Winter Catfish Baits:
Since metabolism is slow, scent is crucial.
Cut Bait: Often the best choice in winter due to strong scent dispersal in cold water.
- A. Gizzard Shad / Threadfin Shad: A primary food source. Use fresh cut shad.
- B. Skipjack Herring: Excellent cut bait, very oily and smelly.
- C. Common Carp / Buffalo: Fresh chunks work well.
- D. Sunfish / Bream: Cut pieces (where legal).
Live Bait: Can work, but may be less active.
- A. Shad
- B. Minnows: Larger minnows.
- C. Worms: Can catch channel catfish.
Prepared Baits:
- A. Chicken Livers: A classic channel catfish bait, effective year-round due to scent.
- B. Stink Baits / Dip Baits: Less effective in cold water as scent doesn’t travel as well, but can still work for channel catfish.
What Bait is Irresistible? Fresh cut shad or skipjack is often considered the top choice for blue catfish in winter. For channel catfish, fresh cut bait or chicken livers are hard to beat.
4. Use the Best Rig for Winter Catfish
Present your bait near the bottom where the catfish are holding.
- Present your bait near the bottom where the catfish are holding.
- Slip Sinker Rig: The most popular and often most effective rig. Allows the catfish to pick up the bait without feeling the weight immediately. Use an egg sinker or no-roll sinker heavy enough to hold bottom, a bead, a swivel, a leader (12-24 inches), and your hook.
- Three-Way Rig: Useful for presenting bait slightly off the bottom, especially in areas with snags or current. Tie your main line to one eye of a three-way swivel, a dropper line with weight to another eye, and your leader and hook to the third eye.
- Santee Cooper Rig: A variation of the slip sinker rig with a small float pegged on the leader near the hook. This lifts the bait slightly off the bottom, making it more visible and keeping it out of potential mud or debris.
5. Slow Down Your Presentation
- Patience is Key: Catfish are slower and less aggressive in winter. Their bites will be lighter. You might need to wait longer for a bite.
- Fish Slowly: Don’t move your bait too quickly. Give the lethargic catfish time to find and eat it.
- Anchoring: Anchor your boat directly over or slightly up-current from a suspected wintering hole. Let your bait sit on the bottom.
- Slow Drifting: If conditions allow, slowly drift your bait through likely areas using drift socks to control your speed.
6. Gear Recommendations
- Rods: Medium-heavy to heavy power rods with a strong backbone but a relatively sensitive tip to detect light bites. Casting or spinning rods work.
- Reels: Baitcasting or spinning reels with a good drag system and enough line capacity.
- Hooks: Circle hooks are highly recommended (sizes 5/0 to 10/0 depending on bait and fish size). They increase hookup ratios with light bites and reduce gut-hooking.
- Line: Use strong line (20-50 lb test monofilament or braid).
7. Team Up with Friends
Winter
Is It Hard to Catch Catfish in Cold Weather?
No, it doesn’t have to be! Winter catfishing can be very rewarding, especially for catching trophy catfish, if you’re willing to brave the cold and adapt your tactics. The key is understanding where the catfish congregate (deepest holes, wintering areas) and presenting the right bait slowly and patiently.
Important Safety
- Dress Warmly: Protect yourself against the cold and hypothermia. Wear layers, waterproof outerwear, insulated boots, gloves, and a hat.
- Check Ice Conditions (if ice
fishing ): Always verify ice thickness and safety before venturing onto the ice. - Fish with a Buddy: Especially important in cold weather.
Winter Catfishing Tips for Specific Species
- Channel Catfish: Remain relatively active in winter. Often found on the upper slopes of wintering holes or slightly shallower than blue catfish. Respond well to cut bait, chicken livers, and sometimes worms.
- Blue Catfish: Often the most active catfish species in winter. They stack up in deep wintering holes in major rivers like the Mississippi River and reservoirs in the Carolinas, Missouri, and other states. On warmer, sunny days, they might move onto adjacent shallow flats near deep water. Large cut bait (shad, skipjack) on a circle hook fished deep is a classic approach.
- Flathead Catfish: The least active in winter. They often enter a semi-hibernation state and can be very difficult to catch. Bites may shut down completely below 50-60°F. Your best chance is during brief warming trends using live bait.
- Bullheads: Similar to channel cats but generally more tolerant of cold. Often found in shallower areas than blues or channels, even in winter.
- White Catfish: Smallest species, found in lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers. They move into deeper water during winter but remain relatively active feeders. Smelly baits like chicken liver or gizzard shad can be effective.
Final Thoughts
Don’t let cold weather stop you from catfishing! Winter can be a great time to catch catfish, especially large blue catfish, if you know where to look and how to fish. Focus on deep wintering holes, use fresh cut bait (especially shad and skipjack), slow down your presentation, and be patient. Use your fish finder to locate deep structure and mark potential spots during warmer months. With the right tactics and preparation, winter catfishing can be a rewarding adventure.
