Catfish Man's News and Views
Joe Crumpton, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
601 West Woodward Avenue, Eustis, FL 32726
Phone: 352/742/6438  Fax: 352/742/6461 
E-mail: joe.crumpton@MyFWC.com

Volume IV                  April 2002

Editorial:
No Soapbox this time, BUT!

Catfish are a very prolific creatures, and are typically plentiful wherever you decide to fish.  While catfish are not considered to be game fish species, like game fish species, the numbers of trophy-size catfish can be affected by hook-and-line effort.  That is why CFM suggests you eat the little ones and throw the big ones back.
Trophy catfish are somewhat unique.  Catfish tagging studies from the mid-west have shown the biggie cats can be released and caught over and over.  If you remove the hook from a gut-hooked cat, like game fish, it will die.  But if you clip the line, the hook will be dissolved in a few days, and the big girl lives to fight the line again.
Take a picture.  You know the old saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words."

IT NEVER HURTS TO PRACTICE A LITTLE CONSERVATION !!

Got No Boat, But Still Want To Catch A Cat?

The FWC has 102 fishing piers and boardwalks located on freshwater lakes and streams around the state.  Some of them are located near your own back yard.  From a greater portion of these sites you should be able to catch a catfish.
The map indicates the piers and boardwalks, but if you would like to get better information on locations, all you need to do is go to the FWC Website:
www.myfwc.com
Highlight : Freshwater Fishing
Highlight: Fishing Piers
Highlight: The Region you want to fish, or click on the image to the right for a shortcut.