Channel Catfish

For channel catfish anglers, Royston, Georgia, provides access to several productive fishing spots. Lake Hartwell, again, is a key location, offering a large and diverse habitat for catfish to flourish. While not as renowned as some other catfish hotspots, Hartwell holds good numbers of channel cats, especially in the upper reaches where the rivers feed in. The warmer months, from late spring through summer, are when the catfish bite is at its best. For bank fishing, try areas around the Tugaloo River arm. For boaters, anchoring near submerged timber or rocky points and fishing on the bottom with cut bait, nightcrawlers, or stink baits is a reliable tactic. Be mindful of depth changes and current, as catfish often congregate in these areas. A local tip is to pre-bait your fishing spot a day or two in advance to attract more catfish. The channel catfish in Lake Hartwell aren't generally huge, but they are plentiful and offer consistent action.