There are many scenic spots to catfish along Interstate 40, including the fishing pier at Arkansas’ Lake Dardanelle State Park. (credit: Ark. Dept. of Parks & Tourism)
Catfishing I-40
By Keith “Catfish” Sutton
Roadside Whiskerfish Hotspots Across America
I’ve logged thousands of miles on Interstate 40 over the years, traveling from its start near Barstow, California, to its eastern terminus near Wilmington, North Carolina. The 2,555-mile highway runs through Little Rock, Arkansas, just a few miles from my home, and often serves as my main east-west route when time is short.
I can’t say I enjoy driving I-40. It’s one of America’s most heavily trafficked interstates, and many stretches are just plain boring. But I’ve discovered a secret that makes the drive not only tolerable but actually enjoyable—catfishing.
I-40 passes near some of the country’s top waters for catching channel, blue and flathead catfish. Many are 15 minutes or less off the highway, with easy access to bank fishing and boat ramps. When the interstate wears me down, I grab a rod and a tub of chicken liver, and soon enough I’m soaking bait and recharging my spirit.
If you’re ready to combine road tripping with rod bending, here are some of the best catfishing stops along I-40.
Colorado River – Needles, California/Topock, Arizona
Just after crossing the Mojave Desert, I-40 reaches the blue waters of the Colorado River at the California-Arizona line near Needles, California. Here, the river slows and widens, creating ideal habitat for channel and flathead catfish. Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, accessible via Exit 1, offers several access points for bank fishing along the river’s backwaters and sloughs. The Topock Marsh area is especially good. Use cut-bait or chicken liver around sunset for the best action.
Bluewater Lake – Prewitt, New Mexico
Tucked high in the Zuni Mountains near Exit 63, 25 miles west of Grants, Bluewater Lake is one of New Mexico’s lesser-known catfish gems. This 1,200-acre reservoir offers reliable action for channel cats, especially during summer and early fall. Fish near Bluewater Lake State Park roads and docks using traditional stinkbaits or nightcrawlers on bottom rigs.
Lake Meredith – Fritch, Texas
In the Texas Panhandle, about 30 miles north of Amarillo (Exit 75), Lake Meredith sits in a series of wind-sculpted canyons. This big reservoir is home to both channel and flathead catfish, and the bite is steady spring through fall. Boat rentals, bait, tackle, RV campsites and more are available at Wright-On Bait & Tackle on Sanford Yake Road.
Lake Eufaula – Checotah, Oklahoma
Not far from Exit 264B near Checotah lies Lake Eufaula, one of Oklahoma’s best-known catfish waters. This huge reservoir (105,500 surface acres) supports excellent populations of all three major species—blue, channel and flathead catfish. Head to Belle Starr or Porum Landing for easy shoreline access. State Park and Belle Starr marinas offer enclosed heated docks for year-round fishing regardless of the weather. Fish cut shad or live sunfish for big blues and flatheads, especially in spring and early summer.
Lake Dardanelle – Russellville, Arkansas
Take Exit 81 and head to Lake Dardanelle State Park, a stone’s throw from the highway. This Arkansas River impoundment is loaded with catfish—channel cats along rocky shorelines and blues and flatheads near deeper holes and current breaks. The covered, handicap-accessible pier near the visitor center is one of the best places for bank fishing along the I-40 corridor.
Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park – Memphis, Tennessee
Located just north of Memphis, this park (reached via Exit 2A) has two lakes that consistently produce good stringers of channel catfish. Bank fishing at 100-acre Poplar Tree Lake and 32-acre Piersol Lake is popular, especially in early morning and late evening. Bring some worms or chicken livers and try near fallen timber or the fishing pier on Poplar Tree Lake.
Douglas Lake – Dandridge, Tennessee
Exit 417 leads to Douglas Lake, one of East Tennessee’s premier catfish lakes. The French Broad River feeds the lake, and both the upper end and creek arms are full of fat channel cats. Summer night fishing here with dip bait or punch bait is a favorite local pastime.
Lake James – Nebo, North Carolina
At the eastern end of I-40, not far from Exit 90, sits 6,510-acre Lake James. This scenic reservoir at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains offers solid channel catfishing, especially around the mouths of creeks and near park access points. Try night fishing with stinkbait, especially around moonrise.
Final Thought
Long drives down I-40 don’t have to be a grind. Tuck a few rods and a bait box in your vehicle, and keep a list of these roadside catfish hotspots handy. Whether you’re looking to stretch your legs, wet a line, or bring home a mess of fillets, these destinations will turn your next I-40 road trip into a catfishing adventure worth remembering.
