The Best Fishing Spots For Catfish In Indiana

Guide to fishing for flathead, blue, white and channel catfish in IN.

By AA-Fishing Staff Writers

The purpose of this page is to share basic information about catfish fishing and catfish waters in the state. Indiana is a fantastic destination for catfish enthusiasts, offering a variety of species to target, including channel catfish, flathead catfish, blue catfish, and white catfish. These catfish species provide exciting angling experiences and can be found in many of Indiana's lakes, rivers, and reservoirs.

Catfish Fishing Video

Channel catfish are the most common and widely distributed catfish species in Indiana. They can be found in a variety of aquatic habitats, including lakes, rivers, and ponds. Channel catfish are known for their excellent fighting abilities and are often caught using a variety of techniques, such as bottom fishing with cut bait, chicken liver, or prepared catfish baits. Some popular catfish fishing spots in Indiana for targeting channel catfish include the Wabash River, Ohio River, and Patoka Lake.

Flathead catfish, also known as yellow catfish, are highly sought after by catfish anglers for their large size and challenging fights. They prefer deep pools and areas with submerged structures like fallen trees and rock formations. Flathead catfish are typically caught using live bait, such as sunfish or live bluegill, fished near the bottom. Some notable locations for targeting flathead catfish in Indiana include the White River, Ohio River, and the Blue River.

Blue catfish, while less abundant in Indiana compared to channel and flathead catfish, can still be found in certain waters. They are known for their impressive size and powerful fights. Blue catfish prefer deep river channels and reservoirs with strong currents. Anglers targeting blue catfish often use large chunks of cut bait or live baitfish to entice these trophy-sized fish. The Ohio River and Patoka Lake are popular destinations for blue catfish in Indiana.

White catfish, although less commonly targeted than other species, can still provide an enjoyable fishing experience. They are typically found in slow-moving rivers, lakes, and ponds. White catfish are bottom feeders and can be caught using similar techniques as channel catfish, such as fishing with cut bait or prepared catfish baits. They are known for their voracious appetites and willingness to take a wide range of baits.

Indiana's catfish fishing season spans throughout the year, with prime times varying by species. Spring and summer are generally productive for catfish fishing, as the water temperatures rise and catfish become more active. However, catfish can be caught year-round, with fall being another productive season as catfish feed heavily to prepare for winter.

When targeting catfish in Indiana, it's important to familiarize yourself with local fishing regulations, including size and bag limits. Additionally, practicing catch-and-release for larger catfish ensures the sustainability of the population and allows for future generations of anglers to enjoy the thrill of catfish fishing in Indiana's waters.

Quality stringers of catfish come form major Indiana lakes including Barbee Lake, Bass Lake, Brookville Lake, Cagles Mill Lake, Cecil M Harden Lake, Dogwood Lake, Eagle Creek Reservoir, Geist Lake, Griffy Lake, Hovey Lake, J C Murphey Lake, J Edward Roush Lake, Lake Freeman, Lake Lemon, Lake Maxinkuckee, Lake Shafer, Mississinewa Reservoir, Monroe Lake, Patoka Lake, Prairie Creek Reservoir, Salamonie Lake, Summit Lake, Turtle Creek Reservoir, Waubee Lake, West Boggs Lake, Witmer Lake and Worster Lake.

Click the images and links above for species details.

What's the best bait for catfish in Indiana?

Choose from the top 5 all-time catfish baits and try them on local waters. Appealing to the keen sense of smell and taste could turn a so-so day into a memorable event.

The state record channel catfish was caught from an un-identified lake in Vanderburgh County.

The state record flathead from the White River.

The state record blue catfish was caught from the Ohio River.

The white catfish record came from a private pond.

Click here for a Indiana Fishing License.

There are many species of catfish and even more ways to catch them. Adults range in size from less than a pound to hundreds of pounds. Catfish are found in all types of water including ponds, streams, lakes and rivers throughout Indiana. There are even species which spend a limited amount of time on dry land. Big giant catfish put up a very noble fight once hooked.

Additional catfishing information resources.

Catfish Conservation Group

U.S. Catfish Anglers Tournaments

Planet Catfish

Most catfish are considered bottom feeders to one extent or another. They will generally eat anything that can get in their mouth. Their strongest sense is smell which they use to locate potential food sources. Capitalizing on this sense is the primary weapon in your search for these creatures. Aggressive catfish have been caught on most types of fast moving bass lures so don't under estimate their ability to catch live bait.

Information for states with catfish.