Fish-Hawk.Net

2lbs is pretty well average for the Ottawa, I never fished for cats out of Arnprior but at vic. island that is pretty well the average. But there are bigger ones. I got my PB there about a month ago and it was over 12lbs.

I am cursed with catching cats. All my friends laugh at me. No matter where we are I always manage to hook into a cat. I was trolling for pike a few days ago, and caught a cat! Anyhoo, the Carillion Dam area is great for cats. We have caught many 8lbs + there.

I seem to find the larger catfish in channel areas on the Ottawa. They are everywhere for sure, but the best ones are where you find a deep hole and some current.

Fishhawk caught a couple of beauties last week at Arnprior. One of them I'm sure was pushing 5 to 7 lbs.

I caught a 5lb cat at the Rideau falls. I was playing around with a drop shot rig and a minnow about a foot off the bottom. But have to agree 1 to 2 lbs is the norm.

I look for areas that are about 20' deep and have a decent amount of current. If you are in Arnprior, try the area where the Ottawa and Madawaska come together.

If you are keeping them (the 1-2 lb'ers are good eating), don't forget the MNR put a 12/6 cat limit on last year and if I recall, only 1 "biggish" one can be kept. Who'da thunk Ottawa River cats would need to be managed.....

Altough I've caught my share of catfish, I can tell you that bigger baits will catch bigger cats. A few years ago caught my PB with a big frog fishing at night off one of the islands at Fitzroy. Also missed a big one at the mouth of the Mad / Ottawa with a big sucker. If you're using shrimps, put 3 instead of one. Sure you won't catch as many, but if you're targeting bigger fish, I find that's the way to go, and you might even hook up with a sturgeon

Just make sure that if you fish in the current, use a 2 , 3, 4 once no roll sinker.

Joe

Razor catching cats is no curse. If it is I wish I would get cursed. Catching lots of 8lbers, There would be no CURSING for sure HIHI