The winter habitats of channel catfish in the Missouri River were examined by the Missouri Department of Conservation in 1982 and 1983. Eighteen channel cats were outfitted with radio transmitters in a central Missouri stretch of the river. Biologist Tim Grace noted that some catfish moved short distances up tributaries and wintered in 10- to 20-foot-deep holes, while others stayed in deep holes at the mouths of tributaries. Channel catfish selected the deepest holes available -- 25 to 30 feet deep -- in the Missouri.

MISSOURI RIVER WING DAMS Channel catfish use of wing dams in winter was studied by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Deep-water electrofishing was used to sample catfish from wing dam habitats in sections of the Missouri River bordering Nebraska. Deep scour-holes around wing dams with eddy currents are valuable winter habitat, reports biologist Brad Newcomb. The deepest scour-holes held the most catfish, with no catfish at depths less than 12 feet or in currents more than about 1 foot per second. Notched dams provided more suitable winter habitat compared to regular dikes, and catfish appeared more attracted to scour-holes with rock substrates.

Knowing the river well helps fine-tune location. Take the Red River of the North, perhaps the finest fishery for trophy channel cats. Red River Guide Stu McKay noted that from September through mid-October, locating channel catfish is challenging because they're spread over many miles. He reported that in early fall, they're often caught from shallow flats, where they're likely feeding on frogs or juvenile white bass. When the water temperature drops to the low-50F range in late September, they return to the main river channel. When water cools below 45F, the catfish become increasingly sluggish, falling back to Lake Winnipeg. But some remain in the river and can be caught through the ice, he says.

COLD CATFISH COMFORT FOOD
"Late season is time for bottom-oriented presentations like sliprigs and split-shot rigs," says In-Fisherman's Doug Stange. "I use a single hook like the Eagle Claw 84 or Mustad 92671, or a beaked design like the Eagle Claw L7226. A jig tipped with a minnow or cutbait is another good option, especially for more vertical presentations from a boat. Float rigs aren't really good anymore.

STANGE'S MINNOW JIG RIG

"I'd rank cutbait at the top for late-season channels -- and it needs to be fresh. I've had good success fishing live minnows well into November, which also is a good bait option for river walleyes this time of year. Freshly killed larger minnows like suckers, with a few slits cut in into the side, also produce well. Keep replacing baits regularly to be sure they're oozing substances attractive to catfish."

A fresh chunk of sucker fillet is Stange's favorite bait. "It's important that the fillet isn't too thick. Cut a thin strip about 3/4 of an inch wide and 1 to 1 1/2 inches long. If suckers aren't available and you use more coarse-scaled fish as bait, remove the scales -- they don't like scaley baits right now."

Another of Stange's favorites is a minnow cut into thirds and stuffed onto a jig -- tail, midsection, and head. The midsection is added first so the long axis is perpendicular to the hook. The tail section is added next, followed by the head, which holds the package together.

"We used to write about channel catfish as if there was an end to fishing as cold weather set in," says Stange. "But the truth is, there really is no end to catching catfish -- even ice fishing, if you're so inclined. Fall offers up the chunkiest channel catfish a water body can offer. The growing season is wrapping up, eggs are starting to develop in females, and body condition is at its peak. Finding them means understanding what triggers movement and identifying wintering habitats. For year-round catmen, there is no bitter end."