| Catfish are a hugely popular prey for anglers | | | | While good Florida catfish fishing can be found |
| across the United States, and luckily, the fish is | | | | statewide, there are certain areas of the state |
| widely available. However, in Florida, catfish fishing | | | | that have a high concentration of catfish and |
| can be even better than many other locations in | | | | provide the best opportunity for anglers in search |
| the country, mostly because of the weather | | | | of whiskered fish. |
| conditions maintaining warm waters throughout | | | | For example, The St. Johns River Basin is a great |
| the year, which produce fertile spawning grounds | | | | place to find a great number of yellow and brown |
| for catfish. | | | | bullheads, as well as some channel cats and white |
| In Florida, however, you'll find a different variety | | | | catfish. The best portion of the river for a good |
| of catfish than in many other areas of the | | | | catch lies between Lake George and the |
| country. | | | | Buckman Bridge at Orange Park on Interstate |
| Florida catfish fishing is most likely to produce | | | | 295. However, for the best catfish fishing of all, |
| either yellow bullhead catfish (referred to | | | | pay a visit to Lake George itself. |
| frequently as buttercats) or brown bullheads. | | | | While the lake is only about 14 feet deep, you'll |
| While these are not the largest species of catfish | | | | find a large number of bullheads and channel cats. |
| in the world (usually ranging from about one to | | | | Look for your trophy fish in he grass beds around |
| four pounds), they are plentiful in Florida. | | | | the edges of the lake, or find channel cats in piled |
| In the same size range, though less common, you | | | | up structures offshore at depths of at least five |
| may come across white catfish in some of the | | | | or six feet. You may also want to check the |
| rivers to the north of Lake Okeechobee (in fact, | | | | various holes, some of which reach as deep as 20 |
| these are often mistaken for channel cats | | | | feet or more, for larger channel and white cats. |
| because of their size and appearance). Other than | | | | Another great location for Florida catfish fishing is |
| these, the common channel catfish is also widely | | | | Oklawaha River. Here, you can expect success |
| found in Florida. These fish are found in almost | | | | below Rodman Dam, as well as at Black Creek in |
| every type of body of water and can reach | | | | the Middleburg area. Because of the amount of |
| enormous sizes, with a world record of 60 | | | | timber, the number of holes, and the twists and |
| pounds. | | | | turns of these systems, you can find a decent |
| Also, while not native to the area, flathead and | | | | number of channel cats year-round, with excellent |
| blue catfish (the two largest species) have made | | | | results occurring in the early part of summer. |
| their way into the panhandle. | | | | |