According to Matt Wolfe, the District Three fish management supervisor, Mosquito Reservoir is loaded with flathead and channel catfish, but the flatheads claim most of the attention.

Last year, a Mosquito Reservoir angler caught a 60-pound-plus flathead during late summer. Wolfe argues that if that fish has been caught earlier in the year, when it was full of eggs, it could have easily weighed an extra 10 pounds or more, and could have challenged the state record, which now stands at 76 pounds.

"I would not be surprised if the next state-record flathead comes out of Mosquito Reservoir," Wolfe said.

Much of the lake south of the state Route 88 causeway features deep water. Therefore, Wolfe points flathead anglers to all of the water north of the causeway, but south of the refuge area, which is off limits to anglers. This area offers approximately 1,000 acres of prime flathead and channel-cat water, and is flooded a former wetland that now provides excellent habitat for spawning and feeding catfish.

Shoreline anglers should focus their attentions on the north side of the causeway. Boaters may launch from three sites north of the causeway including Blackstub Road, which intersects with the causeway and runs along the western edge of the lake, providing access to two sites. The third site, which is on the eastern side of the lake, can be reached directly from the causeway.

District Three channel catfish anglers should consider North Reservoir, which is part of the Portage Lakes chain. Wolfe noted that reports of 10- to 15-pound channel cat catches routinely filter into the District Three headquarters, which is on the same property. The average North Reservoir channel catfish will measure 14 to 20 inches.

Shore-fishing from any point around the 219-acre lake should yield great results.

Birdland Avenue and county Road 123 provide access to the lake. Both roads can be reached via state Route 93, which skirts the lake's western edge.

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

"The Muskingum River is especially noted for its big flatheads," said Tim Parrett, an ODOW fisheries biologist. "Its excellent catfishing has been noticed throughout the Midwest."

Fortunately, the best flathead fishing areas are easily accessed. A series of nine low-head dams built to tame the river will perennially attract flatheads like magnets. The tailwater sections downstream from each dam provide access for shoreline anglers.

According to Parrett, most veteran flathead anglers use live skipjack or suckers for bait. They rig the baits below a heavy sinker (1 ounce or more) and then cast the rig up against the low-head dams. The best places to target are pockets of water near clustered debris or rocks.

All nine dams can be reached via state Route 60 as it follows the river from Zanesville south to the Ohio River. While all of these tailwaters are good flathead destinations, a few are considered hotspots.

The Ellis tailwater, which includes the 9.1 miles of water from Ellis Dam to the Zanesville Lock, features plenty of 12- to 18-inch flatheads with an occasional 30-inch-plus fish. Access for boaters and shore-anglers is provided by the Ellis Dam access off state Route 60.

Referred to as "the Y-Bridge area," the Zanesville tailwaters include another 9.1 miles of river. Like the Ellis tailwaters, the Y-Bridge area boasts plenty of 12- to 18-inch flatheads. The best action is in the deeper holes near the Y-Bridge area.

The Zanesville Lock access site on state Route 60 in Zanesville provides shoreline access to the Y-Bridge Area. There are no boat ramps at this site, but small johnboats and canoes can easily be launched from shore.

Several smaller lakes fill the bill for the top District Four channel catfish lakes. Fox, Tycoon, and Burr Oak Lakes were all recommended. However, Burr Oak Lake was Parrett's top pick based on numbers of fish caught.

Parrett noted that the 664-acre Burr Oak was once stocked with channel cats, but subsequent surveys showed that naturally reproducing fish were doing well, and that the stocked fish were not having a great impact on the fishery's production. Therefore, the state no longer stocks Burr Oak Lake.

Anglers can expect to catch plenty of 12- to 14-inch fish. Some fish will top the 5-pound mark.

Burr Oak Lake is almost surrounded by state park lands. The lake is fairly remote, and the surrounding terrain can be difficult to access by foot. However, there are a few hiking trails leading to different sections of the lake that provide access for adventurous anglers.

Boaters have the best access to the lake. There are two launch sites on opposite sides of the lake. The site on the eastern shore can be reached via state Route 278. The site on the western shore can be reached via state Route 13 and county Road 63.

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

"Historically, Grand Lake St. Marys has been one of the best lakes in all of southwest Ohio," says Maloney. "Fishermen had a good year last year."

Recent reports from the 13,500- acre lake suggested that anglers caught plenty of skillet-size channel cats (11 to 18 inches) with a good number of fish weighing 5 pounds. More of the same is expected this summer.

Because Grand Lake St. Marys is extremely shallow and uniform in depth, it is difficult to pinpoint specific hotspots on the lake. But, Maloney believes that the channel cats are evenly dispersed, which means good fishing can be found just about anywhere. However, for easy access he suggests Windy Point and the eastern bank to shoreline anglers. The shoreline here is lined with riprap, which can attract cats.

Boaters should have no problem finding a place to catch catfish. East bank boaters should take time to explore the fish-attracting devices set out to provide crappie habitat. These structures attract baitfish, a prime food source for channel cats. A map of the lake is available; it shows where the fish attractors have been placed.

Several canals along the southern shoreline have also proven productive for catfish anglers. Boaters can quickly explore these canals until they find fish.

There is a launch site in the northeastern corner of the lake near the junction of state Route 29 and state Route 364. This launch provides access to the rocky eastern shore and the canals of the southern shore.

Meanwhile, in the hill country of Highland County, Rocky Fork Lake adds an additional 2,080 acres of catfish waters to District Five's arsenal of best bets for June. Not only is Rocky Fork a productive channel cat fishery, but it is also a top flathead destination, and reports from last year were very good.

The average channel cat will run 1 to 5 pounds, but 10- to 15-pounders are not uncommon. Flatheads range from 20 to 40 pounds.

Shoreline anglers can get in on the action at several state park access sites including the shorelines near the campground entrance, South Beach, North Beach and the fishermen's wharf. All of these areas have boat ramps, which are clearly shown on the lake map provided by the ODOW. State routes 50, 753, and 124 provide access to the lake.

For maps or more information, contact the District Five office of the ODOW, 1076 Old Springfield Pike, Xenia, OH 45385, or call (937) 372-9261.