Blue Catfish

Muskogee, Oklahoma, offers fantastic blue catfish opportunities, primarily within the Arkansas River and its associated lakes. These waters are known for producing trophy-sized blues, some exceeding 50 pounds! The best time to target them is during the spring spawn (April-May) and again in the fall (September-October) as they fatten up for winter. During the spawn, focus on shallow flats near the river channel. In the fall, deeper holes and channel ledges are productive. A local tip: many anglers launch from Three Forks Harbor and head south on the Arkansas River. Be prepared for strong currents, especially after heavy rains. Blues here are opportunistic feeders, so cut bait like shad or skipjack herring works well. Also, be aware of commercial navigation traffic on the river.