looking for bigger Catfish

[muskie]

A couple budds and I fished for Cats last night from 10 pm to 1 am at sand point in Arnprior. We caught about 40 cats but all small. From 1-2 lbs max. Can anyone let me know why so small? Can we go somewhere where the fish are bigger? Is it just that the group in the area last night were little and next time there may be a larger school?

Thanks from a guy who likes to change up species once in a while.


We laughed all night anyway.

[Wallyboss]

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.

[Razor]

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.

[Bobber]

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.

[Joey Rat]

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.

[beachburger]

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.....

[muskie]

Thanks for the great info about the cats Fellow Anglers. I think the deeper water with some current is key. I'll try and find the Madawaska/ottawa meeting point on google earth and give her a shot.

[Peppino]

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

[Wallyboss]

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