Photo by Ron Sinfelt

Ohio anglers have a plethora of game fish to chase, but at this time of year, when temperatures soar to 90- plus degrees, there's one species that seems to call out to anglers across the state: catfish.

Most game fish grow lethargic in July, but the dog days of summer are just right for cats. After spawning from mid to late June, channel cats become active feeders, and the frenzy continues into early fall.

The best times to fish for July cats is at night, after a rainstorm, or during cloudy days. Their sensitivity to light keeps them at bay during bright days.

Fortunately, Ohio features several good channel cat lakes along with a selection of flathead fisheries to fuel this increasingly popular sport. Since channel cats are native to Ohio, a large number of reservoirs and rivers sustain natural populations. Those waters that don't sustain reproducing populations of channels are stocked with fish. Each year, up to 68 of Ohio's reservoirs are bolstered with approximately 25 channel cats per acre. A typical midsized Buckeye State reservoir receives 180,000 fish.

Not only the numbers but also the sizes of the fish are promising. The state-record channel cat, which was taken from La Due Reservoir, weighed more than 37 pounds. And of course, big Ohio flatheads usually surpass the 50-pound mark.

Here's a closer look at this year's best bets for July catfishing, along with several bonus lakes for each district. There's a good chance that one of these hotspots is in your own back yard.

DISTRICT ONE
Buckeye Lake
Central Ohio's Buckeye Lake spans three counties including Licking, Fairfield, and Perry counties. Built in the 1800s as a canal feeder lake, Buckeye is characteristically shallow and devoid of structure. While a few holes are as deep as 16 feet, most of the lake is less than 10 feet deep.

During the day, the cats will hold in the deeper holes. At night, they move to adjacent flats to feed. Look for flats near the deeper water.

In the western end of the lake, a few deep holes will be found near Liebs Island. Launch facilities on Liebs Island provide access. The island may be reached via state Route 79 and Millersport Road. There are more deep holes in the central and eastern portion of the lake near Cranberry, Avondale, and Ayles landings.

Anglers can expect to find plenty of channel cats here, some up to 20 pounds, complemented by a surprising population of flatheads. Try fishing soft crayfish for channel cats and creek chubs or suckers for flatheads.

Indian Lake
Another District One catfish hotspot is a similar canal feeder lake built in the 1800s. Indian Lake is shallow -- not counting the ski zone or causeway, most of it ranges between 3 and 8 feet deep-- and for the most part structure-free.

The main attraction is the catfishing. According to Ohio Division of Wildlife reports, the upper basin is the best water during the summer; look for areas with some current or flow.

Soft craws are a good bet at Indian Lake. Night crawlers, chicken livers, and cut bait will also yield results.

Shoreline and boating access is provided by Indian Lake State Park. The park is along the western shore and can be reached via state Route 366.

Campsites are available at Indian Lake State Park, (937) 843-2717. For maps or more information regarding Buckeye Lake or Indian Lake, contact the District One office of the ODOW, 1500 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH 43215, or call (614) 481-6300.