Apalachicola River
This river offers excellent fishing for channel, flathead, and blue catfish.  Angling for big channel cats is best from April into early July; flathead fishing picks up in April and runs into the summer months. Small catfish can be caught year-round, but the spring and summer months are best.  For all species, anglers should try the area from the Jim Woodruff Dam south to Owl Creek.  Target deep holes with structure, old creek channels and around the mouths of tributaries.  Live bream fished on the bottom work well for big flatheads, while stink baits or night crawlers (also fished on the bottom) should do the trick for channels.  Try some type of fresh cut bait, such as mullet, if pursuing blue catfish.

Choctawhatchee River
This system offers outstanding fishing for both channel and flathead catfish.  Channel catfishing is best from late May through early July, and October into November if the water remains warm. Small catfish can be caught year-round, but expect the bite to slow when it is cold.  Fishermen should concentrate on the Alabama line south to West Bay, and around the mouth of Holmes Creek and other tributaries.  Most of the larger catfish are found in the northern portion of the river within deep bends and holes, or throughout the river where large woody debris is present.  Try live bream on the bottom for flatheads up to 30 lbs.  Stink baits or night crawlers fished on the bottom will do the trick for channels. 

Escambia River

The Escambia River offers anglers quality opportunities for blue, channel and flathead catfish.  Fishing for channel catfish and big flatheads peaks from April through October.  Small catfish are available year-round, but fishing often slows during cooler weather.  The best stretch lies from the Alabama line to the I-10 Bridge.  Savvy anglers will fish live bream on the bottom for big flatheads, and stink baits or night crawlers for channel cats.

St. Johns River and Dunn's Creek

Superior bullhead, channel catfish and white catfish angling are all available within this system.  For big channel catfish, the best times are from early May through June. Small catfish can be caught pretty much year-round, but the best fishing occurs in spring and fall.  Prime locations include Dunn's Creek to Lake Crescent, Murphy's Creek from the St. Johns River to Dunn's Creek, and the river from Palatka to Little Lake George. Try the hole on the North side of Buffalo Bluff Bridge, but bring plenty of hooks and weights because there are lots of snags.

Ochlockonee River

The Ochlockonee offers excellent fishing for bullhead, channel, flathead and white catfish.  The best angling begins in April for flathead catfish, and mid-May into early summer for channel cats. Both channels and flatheads will continue to bite until the water turns cold in October or November. Small catfish can be readily caught throughout the year but fishing slows down in colder months.  Catfishing is good throughout the entire river, but especially in the Talquin tail race area for whites and flatheads.  Try deep rivers bends with structure further downstream for flatheads as well.

Clermont Chain of Lakes

This chain offers anglers superior opportunities for channel and white catfish.  The spring and fall months are best, but fish can be taken year-round.  Anglers should concentrate their efforts on offshore open-water areas, particularly near drop-offs or around bottom structure.  Canals and channels may also be attractive to catfish during times of flow.  Cut baits or stink baits should work well for both species. 

Haines Creek

This system can provide good angling for bullheads, channel catfish, and white catfish.  Most of the larger channel catfish are landed from mid-April through June, and October and November as water temperatures begin to drop. However, small catfish of all species are readily available year-round, especially where there is water flow.  The creek between Lakes Eustis and Griffin offers the best catfishing on the system, particularly below the lock and dam.

Upper Kissimmee Chain of Lakes

The upper Kissimmee and its associated lakes afford great bullhead, channel catfish, and white catfish angling opportunities.  Big channel catfish experience peak spawning periods between April and June. Bullheads primarily spawn from October into November, but may spawn year-round.  Water flow will concentrate catfish and make them easier to locate and catch, so areas with flow are recommended.  The best sites include C-31 (East Lake Canal), C-35 (Southport Canal), C-36 (canal between Lake Cypress and Lake Hatchineha), C-37 (canal between Lake Hatchineha and Lake Kissimmee), below the Kissimmee River structure (S-65), around mouth of and in Shingle Creek, and in the lake proper around fish attractors.  Catfish are often found near drop-offs or around bottom structure in the canals. 

Southwest Florida Lakes

Many locations in southwest Florida offer excellent opportunities for channel catfish and bullhead angling, including:

• Lakes 2-5, B, and Picnic at Tenoroc Fish Management Area (Polk County)
• Lakes LP2 West, Haul Road Pit, and Pine East at Mosaic Fish Management Area (Polk County)
• Lakes 1 and 3 at Hardee Lakes Park (Hardee County)
• Lake Manatee (Manatee County)
• Ponds managed under the Tampa Bay Urban Fishery Program, particularly Dover District Park and Stephen J. Wortham Park.

Catfish angling is best during the warmer months but these fish can be caught year-round.  While fishing can be good throughout the day, catfish are usually most active in the morning and evening.  Fishing at night can reward anglers with outstanding fishing.  Fish are usually best caught fishing on the bottom using a wide variety of baits, from chicken livers to commercial stink baits.  Larger catfish can be caught on small shiners and minnows, also fished near the bottom.  Catfish in lakes and ponds that have been enhanced with automatic fish feeders will concentrate near these feeders and can be caught on small pieces of dog food, bread and hot dogs.  Channel catfish typically school where the bottom drops off sharply to deeper water.  They usually do not hide within vegetation but can be found outside on the deepwater side of weed beds. 

Joe Budd Pond (Gadsden County)

This 20-acre impoundment provides excellent channel catfishing.  Fish can be found throughout the lake, particularly around the fishing fingers and along the dam.  This site is only open to the public on weekends, beginning the first Saturday in July through the Labor Day weekend (including the Labor Day holiday).  Fishing worms or night crawlers on the bottom should be all that is needed for great catches.  Fish can be caught from shore or from a boat.  Gasoline motors are not permitted.  Fish are typically nine to 14 inches.  A harvest limit of six channel catfish per person, per day is strictly enforced.