Conservation Matters
For many years, catfishing magazines focused almost entirely on where to go and how to catch more fish. Those topics will always matter, but the world of catfishing has changed. Today, the future of our sport depends just as much on understanding conservation and management as it does on mastering bait selection or reading current seams. That is why conservation stories are becoming a larger and more important part of CatfishNOW.
Are Flathead Catfish Invasive?
Georgia DNR fisheries technicians Jason Mitchell (right) and Scout Carter with three flathead catfish taken in one of the state’s rivers where the agency is attempting to suppress the quickly expanding population. Are Flathead Catfish Invasive? By Richard Hines Photos courtesy of Georgia DNR If someone mentions invasive species, kudzu might come to […]
Chesapeake Blues by Brent Frazee
Guide Owen Koch and a customer celebrate catching a big blue catfish in the Potomac River. (Photo courtesy of Capital Blues Fishing Charters) Chesapeake Blues by Brent Frazee Too much of a good thing? That describes the population boom of blue cats in the Bay’s tidal rivers. Looking for a place where rivers are […]
Catfish Conservation and Management That Works by Brad Durick
Workers from the Minnesota DNR collect data to assess the Red River’s population status during test netting in 2025. (Photo by Nicholas Kludt, Minnesota DNR) Catfish Conservation and Management That Works by Brad Durick Minnesota has taken catfish conservation very seriously for more than three decades. Today, the story is one of great success. The […]
Catfish Basics: Best Beginner Catfish Baits (And How to Use Them) By Keith “Catfish” Sutton
Prepared stinkbaits and doughbaits offer an easy, effective way for beginners to target catfish using simple gear and straightforward techniques. Catfish Basics: Best Beginner Catfish Baits (And How to Use Them) Story and photos by Keith “Catfish” Sutton One of the first questions new catfish anglers ask is, “What bait should I use?” The […]
Atlas XH Trophy Catfish Rod Courtesy of B’n’M Poles
B’n’M Poles’ Atlas XH S-glass rod not only looks great; it’s built to handle giant catfish even under extremely tough fishing conditions. Atlas XH Trophy Catfish Rod Courtesy of B’n’M Poles When the bite comes from a true river giant, ordinary gear won’t cut it. B’n’M Poles designed the Atlas XH specifically for anglers who [...]
Clearing a River of Invasive Carp By Keith “Catfish” Sutton
Thousands of invasive silver carp jump from the water as biologists attempt to capture them from a specialized electrofishing boat. (Photo by Ryan Hagerty/USFWS) Clearing a River of Invasive Carp By Keith “Catfish” Sutton If you’ve spent much time fishing big rivers for catfish, you’ve probably noticed changes over the years—fewer shad in some stretches, […]
Ice-Out Cats Are Biting!
Cold air, hot bite. Ice-out channel cats move shallow and start feeding fast in early spring. Ice-Out Cats Are Biting! Source: Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources The Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources reminds anglers that channel catfish move close to shore and are eager to bite in many lakes and large reservoirs across Iowa […]
Guide of the Month: Capt. Owen Koch, Capital Blues Fishing Charters by Capt. Richard Simms
The Gregory family clearly had a ton of fun fishing the Potomac River in the shadow of our nation’s capital. (Photo by Capt. Owen Koch) Guide of the Month: Capt. Owen Koch, Capital Blues Fishing Charters by Capt. Richard Simms Most people picture Washington, D.C. strictly as the nation’s political nerve center—home to the White […]
CFN How-to Video with David Magness—Flathead & Blue Cat ID
Capt. David Magness of Cat’n Aroun’ Guide Service shares his extensive knowledge of catfish again this month as he explains the key visual differences between flathead and blue catfish and why every angler—especially beginners—needs to know them. Correctly identifying the species you catch isn’t just about bragging rights; it helps anglers understand size limits, harvest […]
