According to District Five fisheries biologist Debbie Walters, this year's outlook for Great Miami's catfishing is very good.

Anglers will see healthy numbers of both channel cats and flatheads inhabiting the river. Flatheads grow up to 20 pounds, sometimes larger as they get closer to the Ohio. Channel catfish can attain weights up to about 5 pounds.

Successful anglers target main river holes by day and fish the heads of the holes or shallow nearby flats after dark. As on most rivers, large piles of timber and current breaks often attract and hold hungry cats.

"It's the lower regions that anglers should focus their efforts on," noted Walters. "If you're targeting flatheads, fish closer to the Ohio River."

She identified a few other great District Five hotspots, including the Meldahl Lock and Dam on the Ohio River and the Markland Pool, and also recommended the piers on Grand Lake St. Marys after dark, and the shallow flats on Rocky Fork Lake.

There are plenty of opportunities in every district to boat or bank some tremendous catfish this year. As Walters put it, "It's just a matter of getting out there."

When fishing the Ohio River, be sure to check all reciprocal agreements for bordering states before venturing too far out of your home turf.

The laws governing the harvesting and keeping of channel catfish and flathead catfish were changed in 2006. The regulations may tighten even more as time goes on.