Anglers perhaps think first of the Florida largemouth bass and various other sunfish (e.g., bluegill, redear sunfish, spotted sunfish) when they think of freshwater fishing in the Sunshine State.  However, many fishermen prefer to target catfish.  These anglers find the consistency of catching catfish, the less stringent regulations, simpler techniques and greater shoreline accessibility all to be great incentives.   Moreover, there is a diversity of catfish species found in Florida that provide a mess of fish for the deep fat fryer but also trophy opportunities equal to any of Florida's more heralded species.

The largest of our catfish are the blue catfish and flathead catfish, which are found primarily in north Florida rivers.  The state records for these fish are 61.5 and 48.4 pounds, respectively.  Then there is the ubiquitous channel catfish, the same species raised throughout the south in aquaculture farms for grocery stores, and its close cousin the white catfish.  The Big Catch Angler Recognition Program provides certificates for individuals catch channel cats longer than 31 inches or white cats over 22 inches.  Closely related to these other catfish are the bullheads, which still have the typical catfish whiskers (barbels) but have a rounded tail, rather than a forked tail.  Brown and yellow bullheads are the most common in Florida. One more note, channel or white catfish, or bullheads, are a great starting point for kids, since simple equipment fished from the shore or a pier can provide consistent action, for fishing tips click here.

Whether you are a catfish enthusiast or just looking for a little diversity in your fishing opportunities during one of  those times the other fish seem to have lock jaw, you may want to check out some of these top ten catfish sites.

Top Ten catfish Holes 2004

1. Escambia River:
Species: Blue, channel and flathead catfish
When: Big channels mid-April through June and early October into November if the water stays warm. Small catfish year-round, but expect them to bite slow when it is cold.
Where: Alabama line to the I-10 Bridge.

2. Apalachicola River:
Species: Channel and flathead catfish
When: Big channels late May into early July. Flatheads pick up in April and run into summer months. Small catfish pretty much year-round, but spring through summer months the best.
Where: River from Jim Woodruff Dam south, old creek channels Lake Seminole backwaters, and around mouths of tributaries.

3. Choctawhatchee River:
Species: Channel catfish and bullheads, and an occasional sea cat. Flatheads are now in the river in low numbers and the rumor is the blue has arrived.
When: Big channels late May through early July, and October into November if the water stays warm. Small cats year-round, but expect them to bite slow when it is cold.
Where: Alabama line south to West Bay, and around the mouth of Holmes Creek and other tributaries.

4. St. Johns River and Dunn's Creek:
Species: Bullhead, channel, and white catfish
When: Big channels early May through June. Small catfish pretty much year-round, but best in spring and fall months.
Where: Dunn's Creek to Lake Crescent, Murphy's Creek from the St. Johns to Dunn's Creek, and the river from Palatka to Little Lake George. Try the hole on the North side of Buffalo Bluff Bridge, but bring plenty of hooks and weights (lots of snags).

5. Oklawaha River:
Species: Bullhead, channel, and white catfish
When: Big channels May through June, and in October until mid November. Small catfish year-round.
Where: Rodman Dam to the St. Johns River, and the west end of Rodman Reservoir to Moss Bluff lock and dam.

6. Ochlocknee River:
Species: Bullhead, channel, flathead, and white catfish
When: Beginning April for flatheads, and mid-May into early summer for channels. Both channels and flatheads bite until the water turns cold in October or November. Small catfish bite year-round but slow down in cold months.
Where: River wide, especially in the Talquin tail race area.

7. Suwannee/Santa Fe:
Species: Bullhead, channel, white, and blue catfish
When: Big channels late April through June. Small catfish pretty much year-round. Not sure about the blues yet, but the biggest ones so far were caught in January and February.
Where: Deep holes in mid-river limerock bottom and numerous dead-falls in lower river.

8. Clermont Chain of Lakes:
Species: Channel and white catfish
When: Spring and fall are best but fish can be taken year round.
Where: Off-shore, open-water areas.

9. Haines Creek:
Species: Bullheads, channel, and white catfish
When: Big channels mid-April through June, and October and November as water temperatures begin to drop. Small cats year-round, especially where there is water flow.
Where: The creek between Lakes Eustis and Griffin, especially below the lock and dam.

10. Upper Kissimmee Chain of Lakes:
Species: Bullhead, Channel Catfish, and White Catfish
When: Big channels April through June during peak spawning periods and corresponding water flow that occurs during this time period.  Additionally, early October into November as water temperatures drop. Small bullhead catfish year-round. 
Where: C-31 (East Lake Canal), C-35 (Southport Canal), C-36 (canal between Lake Cypress and Lake Hatchineha) and C-37 (canal between Lake Hatchineha and Lake Kissimmee), below the Kissimmee River structure (S-65), around mouth of and in Shingle Creek, and in the lake proper around fish attractors.  Catfish are often found near drop-offs or around bottom structure in the canals.

Click here to see the "Catfish Man's" Newsletter archive and learn more about catfishing in Florida.