SANDUSKY RIVER
According to local fisheries biologists, the Sandusky River is a great place to catch good numbers of channel catfish between 2 and 5 pounds. Most fishing is done from shore and by wading. Focus your attention on the pool areas. Most of the holes will be between 5 and 8 feet deep. There are some spots that reach depths of 10 feet.

One biologist recommended fishing the river near bridge crossings.

"There is usually public access in such locations," he pointed out. County Road 38, north of Tiffin and Rice Road south towards Freemont, provides good public fishing opportunities.

For more information on the Maumee, Huron or Sandusky rivers, contact Ohio's Wildlife District Two office at 952 Lima Avenue, Box A, Findlay, OH 45840, or call (419) 424-5000.

DISTRICT THREE
Tuscarawas River
The lower Tuscarawas River is a vastly overlooked catfish hotspot in District Three.

"The river is prime for nice specimens of channel catfish," said biologist Parrett, "but I don't hear a lot about trophy-size flatheads."

The river seems to provide the best catfishing opportunities from the town of Tuscarawas downstream to its confluence with the Walhonding River, where the Muskingum River is formed.

Some anglers attest that this section provides the best catfishing in the district. One local hotspot may be found north of Gnadenhutten, where state Route 416 and U.S. Route 36 intersect. There is a large pool above a steep, sloping section of river. This is one of the more popular fishing areas throughout the summer.

Other great spots to try include outside river bends where deep holes have formed. Such areas are common on the Tuscarawas. If the holes are associated with some kind of woody cover, all the better. Cast your baits to the head of each hole and wait a few minutes. If nothing happens, change spots, but be sure to cover each hole thoroughly.

Though the Tuscarawas is not notorious for numbers of big flatheads, some do exist. Its channel catfish claim most of the attention in this river.

For more information on the Tuscarawas River, contact Ohio's Wildlife District Three office at 912 Portage Lakes Drive, Akron, OH 44319; or call (330) 644-2293.

DISTRICT FOUR
Scioto River
The Scioto River makes its entrance in Auglaize County and flows southward to where it empties into the Ohio River at Portsmouth. According to biologist Parrett, the best section of the river for catfishing is from Columbus south to the Ohio River.

The Scioto is too small for commercial shipping, but not too small to harbor a healthy population of channel and flathead catfish. Flatheads between 20 and 30 pounds are relatively common. The closer you get to the Ohio River, the better your shot at a bigger fish. Channel cats are most abundant in the 2- to 3-pound class.

"Nighttime anglers should target the shallow sandbars that are common along the river," Parrett recommended, "while daytime baits are best presented near deeper water and heavy cover."