Midwest Cats

[Igottabigone]

Has anybody ever lived in the midwest and gone fishing for catfish at the local city lakes they have everywhere out here? What is the best technique to catch them? Are they the same as Utah cats? This may seem like a silly question but I never had problems catching cats in Utah, but out here they are few and far between.
[signature]

[Catfishgitter]

Where is "out here"? If you can give a location, I may be able to help.
[signature]

[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]While there are some cats in community lakes, golf courses, etc., most of the cities do not have an aggressive stocking program. Whatever they do plant is quickly harvested (like some of Utah's community ponds.) The holdovers are more difficult to catch.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Best places to fish in the midwest are farm ponds. Get out and find a few and then get permission to fish them. Next best are some of the slow but deep creeks feeding larger rivers. Deep holes along those creeks can provide great fishing.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]In the larger rivers, fish below dams or wherever there is current through deep holes. Also look for brush piles in the waterways and drop baited hooks down into the tangle...with heavy gear to haul the fish out.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]For some reason, night fishing works better on many waters in the midwest...especially if the water is always muddy. Cats use their sense of smell and touch more to feed when other fish cannot see or feel anything. "Prepared" baits...dough baits, stink baits, dip baits...work well for night fishing in murky water. But, fresher "natural" baits...worms, minnows, cut baits...will also work. And, each water seems to have its own best local bait following. Get next to some locals for the inside skinny.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Out here in the west, many of our catfish waters are clear, with rocky bottoms. Just the opposite of the average cat hole in the midwest. Our fish become more active and chase live prey, whereas the cats of muddy waters move slow and feed more by smell and touch.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Good luck.[/#0000ff]
[signature]

[Catfishgitter]

I couldn't have said it any better than TubeDude. From expierence, don't pass it up if you have the opportunity to drift fish the rivers either. Just drift and bounce the bait off the bottom. Especially the river channels.
[signature]

[dancornelius]

well heres a small one i caught in winnipeg manitoba canada last year, using cut bait, it was 32 inches and 15 pounds
[signature]