12 Nebraskaland • June 2025
Channel catfish are Nebraska's last spawners, making
them the ideal fish to catch during the summer months — as
long as the angler understands what's going on beneath the
water's surface.
"Catfish spawn in July," said Nebraska Game and Parks
Commission fisheries biologist Daryl Bauer, "which means
in June they're moving shallow."
Males are the first to arrive, looking for cavities, holes
and even riprap to stake their claim. This is when Bauer and
his colleagues get a number of reports of surprise catfish
catches as males guard their newfound territory and become
aggressive as they attempt to coerce a female.
The aggression continues as males fight off other males
and even drag females into the shallows, leading to many of
the summertime scars that anglers often see on these fish
when they're caught.
"You'll see all kinds of wounds on catfish," said Bauer.
"They're very rough on each other."
To use this aggressive behavior to your advantage, keep
baits shallow and off the lake bottom. Close to the bottom
is fine, but these predatory fish will gladly feed just above
the riprap or submergent vegetation. Topwater also works
well, with reports coming from across the state of catfish
destroying any number of topwater options during the
spawning season.
"Fresh-cut bait is always good," said Bauer. "Bait doesn't
have to sit in the yard until it stinks. Cut up a bluegill and
use it."
Anglers should also be active, similarly to flipping or
pitching for largemouth bass.
"Take a jig and fill it with nightcrawlers," Bauer added.
"This works especially well later into June and July when fish
are sitting on the nest. Dangle it right in front of their face."
These "surprise" catches should encourage anglers to
spend some time in the shallow water each year, knowing
that middle-of-the-lake casts aren't nearly as effective. Rest
the shoulders and pitch just a few feet from the bank — some
of the lake's biggest fish are just a stone's throw away.
By Jeff Kurrus
SHALLOW CATS
Wes Batman of Gretna holds a channel catfish he caught while fishing at Flanagan Lake in Douglas County. JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND
IN THE FIELD
