Photo by Ron Sinfelt

By Brian Ruzzo

About this time of year I hear anglers fret about the coming hot summer months and how the steamy weather will affect their fishing prospects. Bass will become lethargic. Crappies and walleyes will seek deeper waters. But the dog days of summer never seem to bother catfish. On the contrary, the hot weather ushers in the catfishing season, with June as the unofficial opener.

Ohio boasts a multitude of catfish species to tempt your curiosity: channel cats, flatheads, blue cats, and several varieties of bullheads. Since blue cats are only rarely found in the lower stretches of the Ohio River and bullheads tend to be small, it's the channel cats and flatheads that rightfully garner most of the attention.

Ohio's channel cats average 12 to 14 inches and are marked by a forked tail and a silver-blue flank that is sometimes spotted. Found in most farm ponds, lakes, streams and rivers the channel cat is the most widely dispersed catfish in the state.

Flatheads, or "shovelheads," look like what their name suggests. A prominent, flattened face and a square tail will help you identify these bulls, which can reach 60 or more pounds in Ohio. Several larger lakes and most rivers associated with the Ohio River system harbor flatheads.

This year should be another great year for both flatheads and channel cats in Ohio. We polled biologists from each district and found 10 hotspots that will be well worth the trip this month and next.

"The two that come to mind immediately are Buckeye and Indian Lakes - our canal lakes," Graham said.

According to Graham, the ODOW biologists noted that the canal lakes seem to have consistent spawning success. While it's tough to categorically state the reason for the successful reproduction characteristics of canal lakes, many biologists believe stable water conditions and levels are key factors. In contrast, water levels and conditions at flood-control lakes vary greatly during the spawning season.

Buckeye Lake is primarily populated with channel cats; however, there is a population of flatheads that is not targeted. The channels average 14 to 16 inches with bigger fish commonly caught - up to 20 pounds.

There have been no recent creel surveys conducted at the lake, so pinpointing specific hotspots is difficult. Additionally, the 3,800-acre lake is very uniform. Therefore, anglers can expect channel cats to be evenly dispersed throughout the lake.

Fairfield Beach and Liebs Island are both popular with shore-anglers. Much of the lake is privately owned.

Access to Liebs Island, which is at the western end of the lake, is provided by state Route 204 through Millersport. Fairfield Beach, which is at midlake on the southern shore, can also be reached via state Route 204. Additionally, there are several launch facilities between these two access points.

Prepared baits, chicken livers and soft craws all work well.

Indian Lake is very similar to Buckeye Lake because it is uniform, large (5,800 acres) and full of channel cats, which are evenly dispersed. There are a few flatheads, but it's a small population and doesn't warrant much effort. Instead, focus on channel cats, which should mirror the Buckeye Lake population numbers.

Good access points for shore anglers include any of the multiple state park holdings that surround the lake.

Interested anglers may log onto the ODOW's Internet Web site (www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/fishing/lakemaps/lmaps.htm) and download updated versions of many lake maps.

The new map shows several access points that are not listed on the old version. There are three main launch sites at the lake. In the northwestern corner, anglers may access Indian Lake from the launch near Blackhawk Island. It can be reached via state routes 235 and 365. In the central part of the lake, between Seminole and Shawnee islands, there is a launch off state Route 368. The last site is near the state park, which is also off state Route 368.

For maps or more information regarding either fishery, contact the District One office of the Ohio Division of Wildlife, 1500 Dublin Road, Columbus, Ohio 43215, or call (614) 644-3925.

In Allen County, Bressler Reservoir covers 610 acres. The reservoir is surrounded by public land. However, according to angler reports over the last two years, the hotspot has been the western bank.

Another area worth exploring is the underwater island southwest of the boat ramp. The submerged island, or hump, is about 12 feet deep, while the surrounding water ranges from 20 to 32 feet deep. This means that any shallow water you do find should also be attractive to catfish. You can easily find this hump by studying a lake map that's available from the district office.

According to Mike Wilkerson, an ODOW fisheries biologist, stocking is done on an annual basis to bolster catfish numbers at Bressler, and the agency stocked more than 2,400 8- inch catfish there last year. Thanks to fast growth rates, Bressler channel cats average 16 to 28 inches, and catches of 20-pound fish are possible.

Boaters may access a launch site off Kemp Road, which can be reached via state Route 117. Shoreline anglers may access the western bank from Grudd Road, which can be reached by following Kemp Road to Agerter Road west. There are plenty of parking areas on Grudd and Agerter roads.

Findlay Reservoir No. 2 is part of a Hancock County complex that includes Findlay reservoirs No. 1 and No. 2. At 629 acres, Findlay No. 2 is the larger of the two reservoirs. A dike separates the two reservoirs.

As a result of successful natural reproduction, the ODOW no longer stocks Findlay No. 2. However, reports of excellent catches of channel cats continue to surface. Anglers can expect plenty of 12- to 26-inch fish, with some specimens up to 28 pounds.

Like Bressler, Findlay No. 2 is uniform and deep. Biologists note that the catfish population is well dispersed, but it's when water is pumped into the holding reservoir that the best catches usually occur along the northern shore. Catfish are drawn to the area by arrival of food in the resulting current flow.

The northern shore can be accessed via township Road 207, which can be reached via township Road 208 and state Route 568. Township Road 207 also provides access to a boat ramp on the western shore.

For maps or more information regarding either fishery, contact the District Two office of the ODOW, 952 Lima Avenue, Findlay, OH 45840, or call (419) 424-5000.