If you are new to fishing for Catfish, you may wonder when the best time of year is to fish them.<\/p>\n
In addition, many anglers wonder when do catfish start biting.<\/p>\n
The simple answer is that catfish bite all year long.<\/em><\/p>\n So keep reading as we discuss how to fish for Catfish, what times of the year they bite, and some other essential points that make fishing for Catfish more successful.<\/p>\n Contents<\/p> Catfish bite all year long, but the best times to fish for Catfish is from their pre-spawning season through the warmer parts of the year and up until the water temperature begins to cool.<\/p>\n Water temperature is a big key for Catfish to remain active.<\/p>\n In terms of water temperature, anytime the water temp ranges above 55\u00b0F, the Catfish will be active and biting.<\/p>\n Pre-spawn temperatures range from 55-75\u00b0F; Catfish remain active and biting when the water is warmer and above 55\u00b0F.<\/p>\n Much of the best catfish fishing is dependent upon where you are in the world.<\/p>\n The farther north you go, the season’s best catfish fishing changes to later in the year.<\/p>\n For example, in some Canadian lakes, you might still have ice on the water in June, whereas in Florida, the water is primarily warm all year.<\/p>\n The best times to fish for catfish are from Mid-March to the end of June for most of us.<\/p>\n For the far northern location, the best time to fish for Catfish begins in late May and throughout the summer.<\/p>\n Early fall can also be an excellent time to fish Catfish.<\/p>\n What is the best month to catch Catfish? May is probably the best month to catch Catfish.<\/p>\n We say “probably,” because, for most of us, the water temperature will be above 55\u00b0F by May.<\/p>\n Again, your location impacts when the best month is to catch Catfish.<\/p>\n The body of water in which you fish also plays a significant role in determining the best month to catch Catfish.<\/p>\n Catfish are available and bite all year long. They are most active when the water is warmer.<\/p>\n Just past spawning, the fish can be highly active.<\/p>\n That time of year is generally around May.<\/p>\n If you are fishing for Catfish in deeper ponds or holes, the water tends to be colder at the bottom.<\/p>\n Those locations may have better action later in the season \u2014 June, July, and August.<\/p>\n By then, the water in deeper ponds, lakes, and holes will warm, and the fish that lie down there will become more active.<\/p>\n When the water is colder, the bodily systems of fish slow down.<\/p>\n Slow bodily systems mean that the fish requires fewer resources; they need less oxygen and less food.<\/p>\n In shallow waters \u2014 around the edges of ponds, lakes, and shallow streams, the water warms more quickly<\/a>.<\/p>\n Therefore, the better times to fish shallow waters are earlier in the year \u2014 March, April, and May.<\/p>\n So, where you are in the world is the first consideration for catching Catfish.<\/p>\n The farther north you go, the cooler the weather and the longer it takes for the waters there to warm.<\/p>\n The ideal water temperature for catching Catfish is above 55\u00b0F.<\/p>\n The second consideration to find the best times of year to target catfish is the depth of the water.<\/p>\n Deeper water takes longer to heat. So, deep ponds, lakes, and pools in rivers will be active later in the seasons \u2014 May, June, July, August.<\/p>\n The month of May is the one month that spans both cold weather and warmer weather.<\/p>\n That makes May the most likely month for Catfish to be active wherever you fish.<\/p>\n The best time to catch Catfish is at night.<\/p>\n You can target them an hour or so before the sun sets, through the night, and a few hours after the sun rises.<\/p>\n Check your local weather forecast for sunrise and sunset timing.<\/p>\n Plan to be on the water 1.5 hours before sunset and again an hour before sunrise.<\/p>\n That will give you some quality time to fish Catfish at your local spots.<\/p>\n Catfish are primarily nighttime feeders, but they will bite during the day if they are hungry.<\/p>\n As evening begins, catfish become more active.<\/p>\n They have a powerful sense of smell and will hunt prey based on their sense of smell.<\/p>\n In addition, the whiskers of Catfish help them detect movement in the water.<\/p>\n The best temperature for catching Catfish is anytime the water temperature is above 55\u00b0F.<\/p>\n After that, you can catch Catfish all year long.<\/p>\n They are just more active in warmer water than they are in colder water.<\/p>\n Before, during, and after a rainstorm is the ideal weather for catching Catfish.<\/p>\n Two things happen during a rain event.<\/p>\n First, many fish become more active as food becomes more available during the rain \u2014 Insects are knocked into the water, etc.<\/p>\n Second, many predatory fish become very active before rain, during rain, and after the rain ends.<\/p>\n The second thing that happens when a storm is building is that the light dims.<\/p>\n The reason is that Catfish like to hunt at night, and storms begin to emulate dusk and dawn lighting.<\/p>\n Yes, and during the rain is one of the best times to fish for Catfish. So pack up your rain gear and head to your local river or pond just before a storm, and the catfish will become very active.<\/p>\n When catfish bite bait, they turn their head and suck food into their mouth.<\/p>\n They will almost immediately turn and swim downstream to find a spot where they can eat their meal.<\/p>\n You will feel a few tugs on the line as they suck in the bait and turn to leave.<\/p>\n Be sure to set the hook quickly when you feel the first tug.<\/p>\n Unlike many predatory fish, Catfish do not have long pointy teeth, like a pike.<\/p>\n Instead, they have a row of very short teeth that are like grains of sands along their upper and lower jaws.<\/p>\n If a catfish bites you, you will feel pressure and then a grinding action.<\/p>\n These fish strike y our hook by gulping prey and then sucking into their mouths.<\/p>\n They use pressure to crush and swallow the prey rather than a chewing action.<\/p>\n The male Catfish almost stop eating during spawning.<\/p>\n Catfish spend most of the time guarding the nest where the female will or has lain eggs.<\/p>\n During spawning season, expect the number of bites you would generally get to drop significantly.<\/p>\n Fishing for Catfish is a great activity. Catfish can weigh a lot, and some can be as long as an adult human.<\/p>\n They have giant mouths, which they use as a tool to suck in prey.<\/p>\n The best time to fish for Catfish is just before dark and just before the sun comes up in the sky.<\/p>\n Catfish are active in waters above 55\u00b0F, as well as out of the water<\/a>, and throughout the warmer months of the year.<\/p>\n If you have not tried catching Catfish, you should.<\/p>\n Catfish are an easy way to target big fish with a lot of fight.<\/p>\n Once you catch one, you need to learn how to clean the fish<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"When do catfish start biting?<\/span><\/h2>\n
What time of year do catfish bite the best?<\/span><\/h2>\n
The Best Month to Catch Catfish<\/span><\/h2>\n
What is the Best Time of Day to Fish for Catfish?<\/span><\/h3>\n
Do catfish bite more at night or during the day?<\/span><\/h2>\n
What Are the Best Temperature for Catching Catfish?<\/span><\/h2>\n
The Best Weather for Catfish Fishing?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Do catfish bite in the rain?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Signs You’re Getting a Bite<\/span><\/h2>\n
How do you know if a catfish is biting you?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Do Catfish Bite During Spawning?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Final Thoughts<\/span><\/h2>\n