Channel Catfish

Lake of the Ozarks, near Laurie, Missouri, offers fantastic Channel Catfish opportunities. The lake's vast size and diverse structure create an ideal environment for these whiskered predators to thrive. Focus your efforts in the Niangua arm or the Gravois arm, where deeper channels and submerged timber provide excellent catfish habitat. Summer nights are prime time, as catfish become more active under the cover of darkness. Try fishing near areas with current, such as creek mouths or bridges. A local tactic is to use live or cut bait fished on a Carolina rig near the bottom. Be prepared for some hefty fish; Lake of the Ozarks is known for producing some sizable channel cats. Remember to check the Missouri Department of Conservation regulations for size and creel limits before heading out.