The Iowa Department of Natural Resources reports that catfish not only are pursued by thousands of anglers statewide but also top the charts when it comes to angler popularity.

The IDNR's aggressive stocking of catfish and implementation of possession limits have combined to create excellent fisheries in waters across the state. Anglers looking for catfish action will find it both in the historically productive river systems and reservoirs and in sections of lesser-known rivers and smaller lakes that see little fishing pressure.

"In the late summer and early fall we stock between 200,000 and 250,000 advanced fingerling channel cats in lakes statewide," said Dave Walljasper, a fisheries biologist with the Rathbun Fish Hatchery. "These stocked fish are from 7 to 8 inches long to protect them from bass predation. An additional 80,000 to 100,000 4-inch fish are provided to County Conservation Boards to be raised in cages before being released.

"By next fall the 7- to 8-inch fingerlings will be from 12 to 14 inches, depending on the lake. By the second fall they're slowing down to about a 2- or 3-inch increase in length each year. I'd say a 30-inch fish would be from 12 to 15 years old."

According to Walljasper, up to 100,000 additional catfish are sold to farm pond owners every year.

Ongoing IDNR studies have found some catfish populations reaching unheard-of densities. For example: Fisheries biologist Chris Larson reports that each acre of Adair County's Mormon Trail Lake contains 100 channel catfish. Now that's a catfish lake!

All in all, catfishing in Iowa is coming of age. Whether you're looking for plenty of eating-size cats or a 50-pounder, there are plenty of waters to choose from this year. Here's a look at a few of our top producers.

BIG SIOUX RIVER
"For catfish, we're talking rivers," said Jim Christianson, a fisheries biologist with the Northwest Management Unit. "We have good catfish rivers in my unit along with some lakes. The Big Sioux has been more consistent, and they've been catching loads of catfish in there. The catfishing has been better than it was last year."

Christianson, who manages several counties in the northwestern corner of the state, has been hearing good reports from anglers. Though the fishing on his rivers is better downstream, where they flow slower and deeper, catfish are a mainstay on the waters throughout his area.

Darrel Carter has fished both the Big and Sioux rivers extensively. At one time he held the state record for blue catfish, but ascribed his taking the 62-pounder more to luck than to skill, since blues don't normally swim interior waters. Carter's skill far outpaces whatever luck he may from time to time profit from, however: A few years ago, won the U.S.C.A.T.S. national point championship -- two years in a row!

"I look for habitat features in combination," he said. "Fish the snags and compare one hole to another in terms of habitat. Pay attention to current speed and look for moderate current. Catfish want a feeding station that might be where current drops into slack water with a good snag and deep water for a resting place."

Cats will hold in the heavy cover and, at times, down in the holes. If the river is flooding, catfish can be taken in turbid water only a foot and a half feet deep even at midday.