Today the Portage Lakes are favorites among local fishermen. North Reservoir features the best populations of catfish because of supplemental stockings, which occur every other even year. In 2002, just over 200 yearlings were released into the 219-acre lake. The state expects good angling this year.

There are no developed launch sites at North Reservoir, making it a perfect shoreline escape. State Route 93 skirts the western edge of the reservoir. Birdland Avenue and county Road 123 follow the southern and northern shorelines, respectively.

Piedmont Lake
District Three's other hotspot is Piedmont Lake, which, at 2,310 acres, is roughly 10 times the size of North Reservoir. It was created by impounding Stillwater Creek in the early 1940s.

Set in rugged, wooded hill country, Piedmont Lake is one of Ohio's most scenic lakes. But when it comes to fishing, scenery means nothing -- it's all about the fish. And at Piedmont there are plenty of channel cats, most of which will average from 10 to 24 inches; several reports tell of cats topping 15 pounds. The upper end of the lake has long been acknowledged as a hotspot.

Shoreline anglers will find good access to the upper reaches of the lake via county Road 100 to a short access road to a parking lot. The main creek channel runs very close to shore directly in front of the parking lot. The proximity of deep water to shallow flats makes this a great place to start.

Boaters may access the lake from a marina at the northern end of the lake off state Route 800.

For maps or more information regarding North Reservoir or Piedmont Lake, contact the District Three office of the ODOW, 912 Portage, Lakes Drive, Akron, OH 44319, or call (330) 644-2293.

District Three anglers will find plenty of bonus channel catfish action at Berlin, Mosquito, Clendening, and Tappan lakes.

DISTRICT FOUR
Burr Oak Lake
District Four's top bet this year is Burr Oak Lake. Covering 644 acres in Athens and Morgan counties, Burr Oak Lake was built as a multiple-use reservoir for flood control, water supply and recreation. The Tom Jenkins Dam was constructed across the valley of the east branch of Sunday Creek, which is a tributary of the larger Hocking River.

Burr Oak Lake is noted for its trophy channel cats, but it is known for numbers. If you live in southern Ohio and are looking for a lot of action and fish for the frying pan, this is the place to be in July.

The best way to access the rugged shoreline of Burr Oak Lake is with a boat. Township Road 207 provides access to a boat ramp on the western shore.

For maps or more information regarding Burr Oak Lake, contact the District Four office of the ODOW at 360 East State Street, Athens, OH 45701, or call (740) 589-9930.

Campsites are available at the Burr Oak State Park (740) 767-3570.

District Four boasts several bonus channel cat lakes, including Seneca, Tycoon, Wolf Run and Fox lakes.

DISTRICT FIVE
Grand Lake St. Marys
District Five may be last on our list, but it would be hard to argue that its not the top catfishing district in the state, especially when it comes to variety and opportunities. Almost every District Five lake harbors channel cats. In addition to channel cat venues, there are plenty of good bullhead and flathead destinations.