You can catch them using live or cut bait (bluegill, shad, or skipjack) on rods and reels, limb lines, and trotlines. The Meramec River is home primarily to channel catfish and flathead catfish. Best Catfish Fishing Rivers in Missouri Meramec River We will begin by showing you the best catfish fishing rivers and then transition to the top catfishing lakes in different parts of Missouri. Okay, they might not be begging you to catch them, but my point is you’re not far from catching catfish! No matter where you are in the state, there is a river or lake with catfish waiting to get caught. Missouri is loaded with excellent catfishing opportunities. Once again, check the regulations for the number of hooks allowed on a trotline. The line has to be set far below the water’s surface so that boats don’t run it over with their props, but like jug fishing, this is another way to catch a lot of catfish in a few hours. TrotlinesĪ trotline is a strong line with many droplines, hooks tied from a tree, or heavy rock across a channel. You can set out multiple jugs in an area to maximize your chances of catching enough fish for a meal.Ĭheck the Missouri fishing regulations to see how many you can set out. The buoyancy of the jug or other float creates resistance that sets the hook in the fish’s mouth when it bites the bait. This setup includes a line with a weight and a baited hook tied to a jug or a pool noodle. Jugs aren’t as fun as fighting a big catfish on a fishing rod, but they are an excellent way to stock up on catfish for a fish fry. It’s the only method we discuss here that is well-suited for bank fishing. Rod and reel fishing is also great because it’s accessible to nearly everyone, whether you have a boat or not. Catfish aren’t shy when it comes to using heavy line and tackle. I recommend using heavy-duty gear in case you set the hook on a monster blue cat or flathead. Using a rod and reel is the most sporting way of catching catfish, but it’s often the slowest because you’re limited in the amount of water you can cover. There are a few different methods to catch catfish in Missouri. However, this article won’t cover these smaller, less-prized species because anglers typically want to know where and how to catch the larger three species found in Missouri. Black, brown and yellow bullheads can be very common, depending on the waterway and part of the state you’re fishing. Like almost anywhere in America, bullhead catfish are also found in Missouri. Yet, they still grow well over 50 pounds, making them the second-largest catfish in Missouri. They’re green or brown, with that characteristically flattened head and a rounded tail.įlatheads are more elusive than the other two species. Flathead Catfishįlatheads are easy to tell the difference between blues and channels. While channels tend to have a greenish hue, this species is more often blueish-gray, hence their name “blue catfish.”īlue cats have a straight anal fin with 30 or more rays.Īnglers often catch blue catfish in the same areas as channel cats. Blue Catfishīlue catfish can grow to over 125 pounds to dwarf even a big channel catfish. If you are still unsure, a channel cat has 29 or fewer rays on its rounded anal fin. You can look at the color and anal fin shape to distinguish between similar-sized blue and channel cats.Ĭhannel catfish will be more greenish-gray, and the smaller ones will have small black spots. If you catch a catfish over 25 pounds, chances are pretty good it’s a blue cat, although the biggest channel catfish can grow to over 30 pounds. Channel catfish simply don’t get as big as blue catfish. Channel CatfishĬhannel cats are the most common catfish and are often confused with blue cats however, there are a few differences to look for to tell them apart. Each has a unique appeal for anglers, so we’ll spend a little time telling you about each one. Three primary species of catfish catch the interest of Missouri anglers: channel catfish, blue catfish, and flathead catfish. Catfish Fishing Near Kansas City and Northwestern Missouri.Best Catfish Fishing Rivers in Missouri.
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