Photo by Bruce Ingram.

The first hints of summer often start revealing themselves in May. In Ohio, this typically means warm, sunny days interspersed with rain, cold and gloom. Not until June, however, do the heat and humidity of summer begin to dominate.

For many anglers in Ohio, this means only one thing -- catfish season! Fortunately, for Ohio's vast cadre of catfish catchers, there are literally hundreds of waterways across the state where these whiskered fish make their abode.

Catfish exist in nearly every one of Ohio's lakes and rivers, but according to Buckeye State fisheries biologists, some waters are better than others. The following district-by-district review highlights the state's finest catfishing hotspots.

An assortment of top-rated rivers and lakes made the list. Depending on where you reside and what you hope to achieve, each destination offers its own unique brand of angling opportunities:

DISTRICT ONE
Hoover Reservoir
Hoover Reservoir, in Franklin and Delaware counties, provides willing anglers with 3,843 acres of fishable water.

According to Marty Lundquist, an Ohio Division of Wildlife District One fisheries biologist, Hoover is most noted for being a channel catfish fishery. Trophy-class flatheads are few and far between. In Hoover Reservoir, channel cats average about 20 inches in length.

"We occasionally see a 28-inch-plus channel cat here," Lundquist pointed out.

Biologists recommend that anglers target the north end of the lake for best fishing results.

"The feeding flats in this section of the lake are approximately 8 feet deep during normal pool," said Lundquist. "Most anglers fish after dark and during early morning hours, using shrimp and cut shad for bait."

When he was asked if there was any scientific approach to placing baits on these large feeding flats, Lundquist said, "Simply put your bait out there and keep it fresh."

Hoover Reservoir lies northeast of Columbus and four miles east of Westerville. The 10-horsepower motor limit is currently in force. Handicapped-accessible areas are available across the lake.

For more information on Hoover Reservoir, call the ODOW's District One headquarters at (614) 644-3925.

Alum Creek Lake
According to Lundquist, Alum Creek Lake is another great hotspot in his district for channel catfish.

"Fishing on Alum Creek Lake is good on the north end," he said. "In June, many anglers seem to prefer fishing the area from Howard Road northward."

Expect to see catfish in the 18- to 24-inch range. The fishery is capable of producing channels much larger than this, but they are not nearly as abundant. Cut bait, chicken livers and shrimp are the staple baits used on Alum Creek Lake.

The lake covers 3,400 acres in Delaware County. It may be accessed one mile west of Interstate Route 71 on U.S. Route 36 and state Route 37.

For more data on Alum Creek Lake, contact the ODOW's District One headquarters at (614) 644-3925.