Channel Catfish

If you're targeting channel catfish in Ava, Missouri, you're in for a treat. This region, nestled in the Ozark Highlands, boasts numerous smaller lakes, ponds, and the meandering streams of the Bryant Creek watershed, all holding healthy populations of whiskered giants. Spring and early summer, after the spawn, is prime time. Look for cats congregating near submerged timber, creek mouths, and deeper holes in the rivers as the water warms. Night fishing is particularly productive. A local tip: Many of the farm ponds around Ava are privately owned, but landowners are often receptive to anglers who ask permission. Offering to share your catch can go a long way. Remember to check Douglas County regulations for creel limits and licensing requirements. The catfish here tend to be opportunistic feeders, so chicken liver, nightcrawlers, and prepared stink baits all produce well.