Cats Play Under the Ice, Too

By Matt Johnson

When one thinks about ice fishing they typically picture walleyes, crappies, sunfish, perch, pike, maybe a lake trout or eel pout, but not many people think of catfish. Even the mere idea of catching a catfish under the ice results in scowls and even sometimes laughter. But for those of you who venture out chasing these whiskered critters you’ll find yourselves smack dab in the middle of not only a harsh tussle but one of the better tasting winter fish across the ice belt.

Finding Winter Cats
So where do catfish spend the winter? Often, they hold in deeper pockets, but I've found them as shallow as 5 feet. It all depends on the type of lake. Ponds with very little deep water will find catfish holding in the deepest water, providing there aren't any areas where there is an influx of water. For these situations, targeting catfish can be relatively easy. But in other fisheries, where there is plenty of deep water, you're going to find yourself seeking other forms of structure.

In lakes/reservoirs with deep water, I like to search out for the "channel." Most of these reservoirs have main channels where rivers (at one point) ran strong... or at least now provide minimal current. These channel areas oftentimes create burrows along the bottom giving way to cuts and depressions where catfish gather for comfort. It's almost as if these cuts are "roads" for catfish to follow. Tough part about this equation, though, is that it’s hard to pick up fish on the Vexilar in these areas unless you’re right on top of them.

Sometimes these cuts are only a few feet wide, while in other situations you can find them several hundred feet in width. It all varies on the given body of water and from spot to spot. I prefer areas where you can find deep water leading from a shallow inlet (or at one time an inlet). These areas seem to create the best "rut" for these fish to hold in. And if you are fortunate enough to have some current (more than the natural current of a lake) then you found yourself a gold mine!

Other areas of interest include spots where parts of the lake neck down causing current. Flats just upstream from these areas will generally hold catfish. Catfish rely heavily on their sense of smell and will move up-current to grab the bait once detected. This is why we fish just upstream from snags during the open water months– so when a catfish smells what's cooking they come out to take a taste. The scent travels downstream and pulls the fish out. While this doesn't give you the end-all answer for winter catfish, it does give you a few more chances.

Keying on Holes in River Channel
One of my more favorite spots to fish for winter catfish is holes along the main river (if ice is safe). Warning!!! These spots rarely see more than a foot of ice, so proceed with the utmost caution. Even during extreme winters we might still only see a few inches of ice because of current conditions. But if you are fortunate enough to take advantage of these situations when the ice is safe, the rewards can be great. Heavy spoons packed with pieces of minnow will do the trick and hold on!

There are spots similar to these holes along stretches of lakes where there is less current and safer ice. Lakes that form off of rivers will present similar spots and can be fished just the same. In all actuality, if you can find spots off the main river that are pushed back into lake chains and backwaters then you're going to also find consistent action for fish of all sizes.

Presentation for Iced-Over Cats
Techniques for these whiskered fish are simple... rely on scent as your main weapon. Use pieces of minnow and don't be afraid to have entrails hanging out and multiple pieces. Walleye anglers are supposed to be more sophisticated when attaching just a minnow head or tail, but for catfish, you gob those babies on! There are times when just a small piece is all they want, but I oftentimes err on the side of excess :) Jigging spoons are a great tool for these situations, in my opinion. You can pack a treble hook and present a nice ball of meat. I always replace my trebles with a size larger and with a forged hook if possible.

Best techniques for getting these fish to bite? It can depend on their mood... much like all species. Let your Vexilar be your fish's mood indicator and tell you what type of action they prefer. Oftentimes you won't have kamikaze catfish, but rather light biters like we experience with our crappies at times. Subtle shakes and quivers will be more than enough action to impart on your baits for most occasions and watch your line! These fish are notorious for just sucking in the bait without anyone knowing. Spring bobbers can definitely help, but by constantly moving you rod tip you can tell when a fish has the bait by an abrupt deadening of the rod tip. When that happens, you better set the hook into that cinderblock!

Catfish through the ice can provide a lot of action and excitement! And most areas across the ice belt have lakes nearby where catfish are abundant. Like all fish, practice selective harvest, as catfish can and will school up in the winter and over-harvesting can take a tool on local populations. But if you do decide to take home a catfish for a meal, there is nothing better than a nice battered catfish fillet from cold water!