Jeff Miller holding a 29-inch Sheyanne River channel cat.
Small-River Channel Cats
by Brad Durick
Photos courtesy of Jeff Miller
Small rivers are all over the United States and often overlooked for great catfish action.
For the past three or four decades, magazines that carry catfishing articles usually feature stories about big famous bodies of water. It’s important to remember, though, that the United States is home to thousands of small bodies of water that catfish also call home.
If you go back in time to the famous In-Fisherman video “Catfish Fever” (now on YouTube), which is based on the book with the same title, you can see Doug Stange and Toad Smith working small rivers for channel cats and doing very well. What they were teaching, and what has not changed nearly 40 years later, is that a catfish is a catfish and a river is a river. These small treasures can be great teaching grounds to understand how catfish react to current, holes and structure. All these lessons can be taken to the next level as you move up to larger rivers.
To get some information on this small-river fishing from a guy who does it a lot, I contacted my friend Jeff Miller who fishes the Sheyanne River in east-central North Dakota. The Sheyanne is a tributary of the Red River.
Miller fishes the Sheyanne for a couple reasons. First, it is right near his home, Second, the river produces lots of the smaller catfish he likes to take home to eat. I’m sure entertainment plays into that as well.
I asked Jeff about his basic setup and what he looks for to be successful when targeting these small-river catfish. I found that he doesn’t do much differently than the rest of us, but everything is on a smaller scale at a faster pace.
What is the Gear You Use?
Miller uses an inexpensive medium-heavy Ugly Stik GX2 (or similar rod) paired with an inexpensive round reel. He spools up with 15-pound monofilament line and a 2- or 3-ounce weight to hold the bait in its desired location. He also uses a circle hook.
Miller also likes to fish from a very small boat to be more mobile. A boat is optional in many small rivers but a nice addition.
What Structure do You Target?
He says the river where he fishes is only 20 to 30 yards wide and very shallow. A very deep hole is only 10 to 12 feet deep. He also noted that there are many elements of structure such as snags and trees in the river as well.
Baits
Trophy catfish anglers attest that natural baits are the best. But, in small river tributaries, that may not be the case. The smaller catfish that call the small rivers home are searching for anything to eat, and other baits might be better than natural.
Miller does use one natural bait: cut goldeye that he catches right from the river. He said he prefers dip baits to catch numbers of eater fish in the river. These work very well and are easily accessible when going on a quick trip.
He prefers Triple S dip baits and says the blood flavor works better in the Sheyanne River. He also noted that the hotter the temperatures, the better the dip baits work.
Basic Small-River Strategy
Miller says he fishes mostly in the “dead of summer,” targeting the Sheyanne’s abundant 18- to 20-inch channel cats. He fishes by working his way through holes and structure looking for active fish. He notes that a stable river level is best. But when the level is changing, he prefers rising water over falling water.
It’s important to gear up right for the fish you want to catch. Most catfish anglers use gear that’s far too heavy for the fish they are trying to catch. Get a rod and reel that is appropriate for the average size fish you expect to catch. In most small channel catfish rivers, a medium or medium-heavy rod with 15- to 20-pound line is appropriate.
Search for the basic run/riffle/hole series that was brought to light by “Catfish Fever” back in the 1980s. Areas with elements of structure in it are even better. Use natural baits if you can get them, but don’t be afraid of manufactured baits either to ensure success.
In some cases, you may want to add a float to your rig and work your bait through these areas to cover more water faster and stay on the move for active fish.
Guide Input
Interviewing Jeff Miller and reviewing In-Fisherman’s “Catfish Fever” book were great reminders that a catfish is a catfish and a river is a river. It reminded me of a day spent on an upstream stretch of the Red River that is much narrower and shallower than the area I call home. I was amazed at how easy it was to read the small river versus where I live. The current seams were more pronounced, and the river told a glaring story of where to fish. It was a great reminder of how much can be learned from fishing small rivers.
If you live near a small river, take advantage of these lessons to learn the ways and patterns of channel catfish. If you understand how the holes set up and how to fish structure in a small river, you have a great start on the lessons you need if and when you upgrade to a larger river. Current seams on larger rivers may not be as pronounced, but they are there, and you will be able to understand them and make sense of it all.
Small rivers are abundant and rewarding places to fish and are very overlooked for great catfish action. Don’t forget these little gems for quick trips, fast action and great opportunities to introduce new people or kids to catfishing.
(Captain Brad Durick is a nationally recognized catfish guide on the Red River of the North, seminar speaker and author of the books “Cracking the Channel Catfish Code” and “Advanced Catfishing Made Easy.” For more information, go to www.redrivercatfish.com.)
