Blue Catfish

If you're hunting for hefty blue catfish in northeast Oklahoma, Peoria offers some promising opportunities. The Neosho River, particularly the stretch near Peoria where it flows into Grand Lake o' the Cherokees, is a known hotspot. This area benefits from the river's current and structure, which concentrates baitfish and, in turn, attracts the big blues. Spring and early summer, during the pre-spawn and spawn, are prime times. However, the fall months, as the water cools, can also produce excellent results as the cats feed heavily to prepare for winter. For bank access, try the areas around the Highway 59 bridge; be mindful of private property. Boat anglers will find several ramps around Grand Lake that provide easy access to the river channel. A local tip: shad is king here. Fresh cut shad is hard to beat, but prepared shad baits also work well. Be prepared for some heavy lifting; these Oklahoma blues can reach impressive sizes.