CHANNEL CATFISH
While channel catfish aren't as glamorous as their overgrown cousins, they are Tennessee's most sought (and caught) catfish. Unlike their larger cousins, channels abound in rivers and lakes of every size. In fact, with the exception of trout streams, channel cats can be found virtually anywhere there is water in Tennessee.

Among the best areas in Tennessee for channel cats are TWRA's Family Fishing Lakes. These lakes, which are widespread in the central and western parts of the state, are stocked heavily with catfish on an annual basis. They also are fertilized to maximize productivity, so the cats tend to grow quickly.

Adding even greater value, shoreline access is invariably good around these lakes, and many offer inexpensive fishing boat rentals. Therefore, anglers who do not own boats enjoy the same access to the fine fishing as do boating anglers. As the name suggests, these lakes are ideally suited for family fishing outings.

While the 18 lakes in the program are all different in their offerings, all provide similar benefit to catfishermen. The best Family Fishing Lake for any given angler truly is the one closest to home, unless he has a specific preference toward a certain size or character of lake or simply wants to visit a new lake. A brochure that compares and contrasts the offerings of all the lakes and provides directions can be read online at www.tnwildlife.org. Permit requirements and special regulations for these lakes are also available through TWRA's Web site.

In the eastern part of the state, the lower ends of major mountain rivers and impoundments along them offer abundant opportunities for catching channel cats. The French Broad River, from the North Carolina border all the way to the backwaters of Douglas Lake, is among the best catfish rivers in East Tennessee, according to TWRA stream biologist Bart Carter. Anglers can wade, fish from the banks or drift the river, although the French Broad does contain rapids in places. The lower end also can be boated by anglers who launch at the upper end of Douglas.

Douglas Lake, too, offers outstanding channel cat prospects. Highly fertile for a mountain lake, it supports large numbers of quality channel catfish. Anglers generally will do best by venturing out after hours and fishing flats in the upper half of the lake, up the French Broad River channel. Cats hold in big holes by day and move onto the flats above them and across from them by night. Cut shad and herring would be tough to top as bait on Douglas Lake, where anglers actually might encounter flatheads, channels or blues.

Several tributary lakes in the Tennessee and Cumberland river systems actually offer very good fishing for channel cats. Top picks along Tennessee River tributaries include Cherokee Reservoir, which impounds the Holston River, and Woods Reservoir, which impounds the Elk River. Along Cumberland tributaries, anglers should try Dale Hollow on the Obey River and Percy Priest on the Stones River.

Because channel catfish are so widespread, anglers should not overlook the waters that are closest to home and that they are most familiar with for targeted catfish efforts. Chances are excellent that good catfishing is not far away.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Jeff Samsel is the author of Catfishing in the South, a complete guidebook to catfishing on lakes and rivers throughout the South. To order, send a check for $21.95 to Jeff Samsel, 173 Elsie Street, Clarkesville, GA 30523. For more information, log onto www.jeffsamsel.com.