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. Don't pass up such spots.

Little Miami River
According to Ohio's District Five fisheries biologists, the Little Miami isn't quite as popular as its big brother, but it does offer some decent catfishing. The river is not known for its thriving flathead population, so if trophy flats are your bag, you should consider another body of water. But if you're looking for some fat channel cats up to 5 pounds and a healthy supply of bullheads, this is the river for you.

The Little Miami River flows through Greene, Warren and Hamilton counties.

The East Fork Little Miami has produced some good fish in years past, one biologist pointed out. This section of the river juts into Clermont County. Anglers will find good catfishing opportunities up to Batavia and the East Fork tailwater.

On the main stem, likely hotspots include deep holes associated with timber piles, eddies, current obstruction and big blowdowns. It doesn't seem to matter if you fish day or night on this little honeyhole. If you're in the right place, you're bound to see some action.

Access may be found off Mathers Mill Road, southeast of Lebanon off state Route 350, off state Route 50 near Milford and at Constitution Park off state Route 725.

For more information on the Little Miami River or the Great Miami River, contact the ODOW's District Five office at 1076 Old Springfield Pike, Xenia, OH 45385; or call (937) 372-9261.

DISTRICTS FOUR AND FIVE
Ohio River
Due to the stringent consumption advisories currently in effect on the Ohio River, few "meat fishermen" target its waters. Aside from tournament anglers, which are almost entirely catch-and-release fans, and some sport fishermen, the Ohio River is really under-utilized for the amount of water that's there, according to biologist Parrett.

"There doesn't seem to be any section of the river that is significantly better than another," said Parrett. "The entire Ohio holds healthy numbers of both channel and flathead catfish."

If one spot on the river were to stick out, though, it would have to be the Greenup Pool in Gallia, Lawrence and Scioto counties. This pool is 62 miles long and encompasses about 11,200 acres of water.

Anglers who frequent the Ohio River have found that flatheads in the 20- to 30-pound class are not at all uncommon. Larger fish are certainly a possibility. Channel catfish on the river may reach 10 to 15 pounds, but fish between 2 and 3 pounds are common.

Flatheads respond best to live bait, and indigenous species have proved to be the best choice. Sunfish, suckers, herring and shad hooked onto a bottom rig have accounted for more fish than any other tactic on the Ohio.

Don't fish deep water at night for flatheads, because the fish are simply not there. If you're targeting flatheads, place your baits on shallow sand or gravel bars, at the heads of deepwater holes, near timber piles and other shallow feeding or resting areas. Parrett pointed out that tributary inlets are also hot tickets.