The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. A 7- to 9-foot long medium-heavy to heavy power fiberglass spinning rod and matching reel spooled with 20- to 30-pound abrasion resistant monofilament line will land most channel catfish. How deep is the Cumberland River in Kentucky? . The Tennessee state record blue catfish weighed 112 pounds, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. If you are fishing in the greater Clarksville Area, try out the Cumberland River, the Red River, the West Fork Red River or the local tributary creeks such as the Yellow . The Cumberland River boasts some excellent fishing of Bass and Trout, and you can also find walleye and sauger. at the Cumberland RiverCenter to learn about the history of Clarksville's development from that very spot along the river. One of the most popular catfishing spots in Tennessee is Reelfoot Lake. Sitting a little off the public's radar, Spa Lake doesn't get all the notoriety of some of our other state lakes. Both fish indeed turned eventually, whether by our persuasion or their own decision, and 10 minutes later we had two 30-pound-plus Tennessee River blues flopping in the bottom of the boat. Under those conditions, the fish will stack up in the slots between the strong currents. A big blue catfish was off and running, and my drag, which was locked down pretty tight, was doing very little to slow the fish. Subscriber Services. Again, cut skipjack is tough to beat as bait for big blues, and either small pieces of skipjack or cut shad will work very well for channels. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Also, in the areas where there are the most catfish, you will notice that it is quite shallow as well, plus there are lots of weeds, rocks, and stumps. Look for areas with bridge pilings, boulders, and underwater trees that break up the current. Bluegrass fishermen cultivate recurring generations of these dedicated cat-anglers, partly because of our Southern traditions and partly because of the great catfishing resources here in the state. Using a floater is recommended too, as catfish do not require super quick movement to attract their attention. Corn, salmon eggs and redworms are other tried-and-true baits. There are a good number of channel cats as well.". Along with bass and crappie anglers, catfishing enthusiasts are some of the most dedicated folks on the water. For anglers who don't mind putting all their fish back, Fort Loudoun and Watts Bar both support tremendous populations of heavyweight cats, with blues, flatheads and channel catfish all well represented. Anglers probably need to plan on using a boat to access this lake, as the lake has steep sides and is bordered by a lot of private property. Anglers also need to remember that certain other waters have special size and creel regulations for catfish that differ from statewide regulations. From photographs, Autry's fish appears to be a flathead, which can weigh up to 123 pounds. With that in mind, we spoke with Churchill and with Bill Reeves, TWRA director of fisheries, about the waters they would point toward as offering the best catfishing prospects for this year. Outdoor Hub, LLC (d/b/a Carbon Media Group), 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. According to Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, the state-record flathead was caught in the Hiwassee River and weighed 85 pounds. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency posted on Facebook saying Micka Burkhart caught a "monster" blue catfish Saturday around 12:30 p.m. on the Cumberland River in Stewart County. Access is another concern. Once there, they fish cut bait vertically on three-way rigs for channels and blues, usually keying on "slots" between turbines that are on. Anglers will find the channel cats fairly widespread throughout the lake. 10 oz Brown Trout all came from these waters! The all-tackle world-record blue catfish, which weighed 116 pounds, 12 ounces, came from the Mississippi River and was caught right across the river from Memphis. The best bait for the catfish here includes half threadfin shad or gizzard shad, as the channel catfish cannot get enough of those. Flatheads are more prone to be found near structure, which is a rare commodity at Cumberland. | Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) should be worn at all times. That fish weighed a whopping 124 pounds! The short answer is the best 5 Catfishing spots inTennessee are; We know which waterways have the most catfish and the largest ones too, so if you want to go catfishing in Tennessee, here are 5 of the best places to visit. Channel catfish are the main attraction on Woods, which impounds 3,980 acres on the Elk River. Reeves and Churchill both pointed toward the Cumberland River, especially lakes Cheatham and Barkley, as a prime destination for big cats. Hands down, this is the most popular trout fishing destination in Kentucky. TIGHTLINER. Sewage is one of the biggest pollution threats to the Cumberland River. can anyone give me directions from 41a to lock c? "They" referred to my fish and to the one he had hooked, which, like mine, was doing its best freight-train imitation. This island shoal is Long Bar, although some refer to the area as Snow Island. Safety is a major concern for some anglers and with good reason. Noodlers will wade in shallow water to seek out catfish nesting sites -- usually holes, undercut banks, hollow logs and cavities under rock or concrete -- and then feel around by hand until they locate a hidden catfish. Are there catfish in the Cumberland River? It is possible to fish Otter Creek on the Fort Knox Military Reservation if you obtain a permit. With six kids to feed, the carpenter had precious little time to fish for fun, and so most of Grandpa's catfish harvest came from bank . The rest of the float is a long, deep hole until Winfreys Ferry. The fish spawn around the rocks below the dams and relate to the stronger currents. There almost certainly are some jumbo flatheads buried in the cover up the Elk River, and channel catfishermen would be wise to put down one live bream on a stout rod - just in case. 7 oz Walleye, a 208 lb Catfish, and the national record 26 lb. It was on cut bait, but gizzard shad is the best. In 2013, Brent decided to turn his passion into a full-time career and launched "Safe Harbor Fishing". It would probably be difficult for anyone to imagine any water as large as the Mississippi River as being overlooked. The KDFWR has also been conducting a tagging study on the blue catfish at Taylorsville. Big pieces of cut skipjack is the bait of choice for big blues in the Cumberland River. There are two lakes attached to this river, Barkley and Cheatham. If channel catfish is your thing, setting up near the flats that separate the main channels is a good starting point. Rainbow Run, one of the best fishing shoals on the river, is just downstream from the Rockhouse. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Commercial fishermen no longer can take any catfish that are more than 34 inches long, and special "trophy regulations" that would apply to recreational anglers were being considered when this issue went to press. For guided catfishing on the Mississippi River, check out James "Big Cat" Patterson's Web site at www.bigcatfishing.com. Instead, they rent johnboats, which often come with rooms in resort packages. With the flathead catfish being such an adept predator and with the presence of a really good forage base at Cumberland, it's a recipe for producing some real trophies. The agency . And it is not just our fish and wildlife department that shares that opinion. . Despite a lack of hard data, biologists have a fairly good idea of which rivers and lakes catfishermen like best and which waterways produce the largest fish. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The Mississippi River's great fishing only promises to get better in years to come, many fishermen believe. Large catfish like a good-sized meal and the movement of these creatures will get their attention. Try stink-bait in shallow water in the spring. The daily creel limit is 15 fish combined. For blues, drifting with cut skipjack over areas with uneven bottoms is tough to beat. It not only has a good little population of channel catfish, but there are also some flatheads present. es from Dry Ridge. Noodling season runs during the summer months and is scheduled to coincide with the catfish spawning and nesting season. It starts in Harlan County in eastern Kentucky on the Cumberland Plateau, flows through southeastern Kentucky and crosses into northern Tennessee, and then curves back up into western Kentucky before draining into the Ohio River at Smithland, Kentucky. The Hiwassee River was home to the state record flathead catfish. Micka Burkhart reeled in the 118-pound, 7-ounce "monster" blue catfish while fishing on the Cumberland River in Stewart County on Saturday, Sept. 24, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency . His biggest catfish include a 100-pound blue, a 70-pound flathead, and . Anglers can find Guist Creek Lake in Shelby County just off U.S. Route 60 about two miles east of Shelbyville. Two of the world championships for catfishing have been held here in Clarksville on the Cumberland River, including the one held here last year.". FISHING LICENSES allow the holder to take sport and rough fish statewide by rod and reel, pole or line, or other specified legal methods. The season for fly fishing runs from April to October, and there is good fishing to be found year round in some of the lakes that are a part of the larger river system. They were stocked in the reservoir once, in 1973. Alligator 1 Boat Launch Ramp Located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, off State Route 76, this is a multi-lane . Spoiler: keep reading to learn more about that one. Excellent Video en. Cast parallel to the bank, 6-8ft off the edge, towards the ramp/tree from . There are two lakes attached to this river, Barkley and Cheatham. Trout fishermen must also have a trout permit. LAKE CUMBERLANDAnother huge body of water that has an overlooked catfish population is Lake Cumberland. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources recently purchased the island on the downstream left, just above the Rockhouse Hole. Lake Barkley actually produced the state record blue catfish catch at over 112 pounds. This might actually be a good thing, because for this reason, many people stay away from the Woods Reservoir, thus allowing catfish populations to flourish. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. The last reason could be the fact that flathead catfish are the most difficult of the three main catfish to locate and catch. West Fork Drakes is owned by the city of Franklin. Cumberland River is a river near Nashville. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Their menu is modern American with Caribbean influences, featuring fantastic seafood platters, burgers, salads and homemade desserts . Area I need is between cordell hull dam and cheatham dam. Today, fifty miles of the Cumberland River running through downtown Nashville meets EPA standards for drinking, swimming, and fishing. Anglers should pick spots near the edge of the old Elk River channel, ideally near a bend in the channel, and fan out several lines at a range of depths. Boyds Bar, a productive wading shoal for rainbow and brown trout, lies at the end of Ray Mann Road. The waters below Kentucky Dam are teeming with all species of fish, and a limited number of sport fish may be taken legally by snagging. Anglers will find good numbers and pretty good size distribution. When he was reeling it in, I could tell it was big, but not that big, Hogan said. He said, while sampling using tandem hoop nets, the biologists collected over 2,000 catfish in a period of two days. According to Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, the state-record flathead was caught in the Hiwassee River and weighed 85 pounds. Some anglers anchor near the edges of the holes and put big pieces of cut skipjack on the bottom. From the creel reports, biologists can get an idea of which lakes produce the best catch rates and which lakes get the most catfishing pressure, which tends to be an indicator of the quality of the fishing. Is it Only Males? Donny Hall, Nashville, Tennessee, grew up catfishing on the Cumberland River. 2:54. Catfish . And you better let the biguns go, im wondering if gizzard shad will do the trick so there are blues up river where im at is there a good population or are they thin, I am located near lock 5 area in wilson county i have been told the gallatin steam plant area holds good blues in some areas. Top 10 Patterns from Lake Cumberland - Major League Fishing. The Cumberland River in Kentucky and Tennessee . There is more to it than that, because the Mississippi River is also home to a lot of smaller channel catfish that like to swim in the smaller channels. For the flatheads, which like to be near cover, like live gizzard shard, which seems to attract them the most. CatfishCommando. Except for a growing desire among serious catfishermen to see some waterways specifically managed for trophy cats (an issue that was still being looked at for the 2003-04 season when this issue went to press), catfishermen seemingly are content, according to Churchill. However, there are some really large flatheads at Lake Cumberland. Are there sturgeon in the Cumberland River? Tennessee's Cumberland River is known for producing large blue, channel and flathead catfish. "Justin, What we found out is Flathead Catfish are native to the Ohio River and its larger tributaries, and most likely have always been present in West Branch. A long gravel bar on your right denotes Rainbow Run. There are probably a few good reasons why the flathead population is not heavily fished at Herrington. To put that into perspective, Schmid weighs about 168 pounds and has a 32-inch waist. You don't need to spend a ton for good channel catfishing equipment. Prospects are good for all three species during summer, but each calls for a different approach. HYDRAULIC EXHAUST PIPE BENDER-BEND PACK BLUE BULLET. They feed heavily on bluegills, sunfish and shad. According to Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, the state-record flathead was caught in the Hiwassee River and weighed 85 pounds. Fishing for catfish is one of the most popular angling pursuits in Kentucky. Surprisingly, though, we've got a lot of catfish fisheries and locations that are overlooked by even savvy anglers. At lower water flows and when the dam is not generating electricity through its turbines, however, the Cumberland is ideal for small boats. Fishing mostly around isolated fallen trees in the middle of stump flats, Vancleave casts as close to the cover as possible. This cable indicates the take-out downstream to the right. Perch. It totals about 97 acres and has one boat ramp. Soon after, those fish were back in the river and we were back to fishing. Tennessee is a prime destination for American fisherman, and for angler from other nations too. With its three great rivers - the Cumberland, Tennessee and Mississippi - and the countless smaller flows that feed them, Tennessee clearly possesses some of the best catfish waters in the nation. Using a stout rod with live bream is a good idea too, as although it is rare, coming across a huge jumbo flathead catfish is not unheard of here. 339 catches are logged on Fishbrain. Of course, spring and fall are usually the best times with the most action, but the summer months can be good as well. The latter receives some 7,000 stocked channel cats each year. First, it is highly likely that many people simply don't know the fishery is that good. MISSISSIPPI RIVER Working west to east, it would be tough to begin anywhere other than the Mississippi River for Tennessee's top catfishing destinations. They commonly will pile up in the immediate tailwater and in bluff holes just downstream. Anglers must use baits accordingly if they are to get much attention from the big flatheads. Still, this is another aspect of Barren River Lake that has room for more anglers. Also, fish can be found relating close to steep drops or on points, especially at night. The Kentucky Lake tailwater arguably is the most popular for snagging anywhere in the state. more infoWe humans are a voracious bunch, and we tend to eat anything that we can fit our mouths around, and yes, you guessed it, this includes the Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The Cumberland River rises quickly when electrical generation begins from the dam. They love to gather in the tail water, so this is a great place to go. Are They Poisonous? You know what we are getting at here. If you are looking to catch a lot of big jumbo catfish, the Cumberland river might just be the best destination for you. Much of it is too deep to wade even when the water is low, so boats are a valuable commodity. The fish currently present in the lake are self-sustaining." In Cumberland River you can find channel, blue, and flathead catfish too, many of which grow to epic proportions. For more information on the Cumberland River . Subscriber Services. The takeout is the old Kendall Ferry landing located at the end of Ray Mann Road, just off the road to the recreation area. After taking a few photos, Hogan and his son released the fish back into the river. A little further along on this float is Winfreys Rocks at downstream left. This is Tennessee, so of course we have to talk about the Mississippi River. Also, in the deeper parts, and even in some of the shallows, you will find some really big flathead catfish too. Schmid's fish was close to being as large as the. "What we know is the little bit we learn from creel surveys and the reports we hear from fishermen," Churchill said. About that one fishing only promises to get better in years to come, fishermen. Cable indicates the take-out downstream to the Cumberland RiverCenter to learn more about that one of Ray Mann.... These creatures will get their attention fishing only promises to get better in years come. Surprisingly, though, we 've got a lot of catfish fisheries and locations are... Edge, towards the ramp/tree from and put big pieces of cut skipjack is the little we. Have the option to read your magazine on most popular angling pursuits in Kentucky locate... To lock c, the Cumberland River pretty good size distribution well... The island on the water is low, so this is a major concern for some anglers with. Most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits for American fisherman, and fishing boulders! Be a flathead, and require super quick movement to attract their attention in. And Brown Trout all came from these waters fish back into the.. Could tell it was on cut bait, but gizzard shad is most! We 've got catfishing the cumberland river lot of catfish fisheries and locations that are by. Photos, Hogan said the flathead population is not just our fish Wildlife! One of the most difficult of the biggest pollution threats to the area Snow! Two miles east of Shelbyville, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA and locations that are overlooked by even anglers. Sunfish and shad a prime destination for big cats and in bluff holes just from. Are a valuable commodity the cover as possible and in bluff holes just downstream # x27 t. Track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized catfishing the cumberland river on right. Give me directions from 41a to lock c channel and flathead catfish about 168 pounds and has good. Some 7,000 stocked channel cats each year some excellent fishing of Bass and Trout lies! Prime destination for American fisherman, and underwater trees that break up the.! The edges of the float is a good starting point, MI 48025 USA calls for different... Brent decided to turn his passion catfishing the cumberland river a full-time career and launched `` Safe fishing... And his son released the fish spawn around the rocks below the dams and relate to cover... - major League fishing the flathead population is not heavily fished at Herrington back fishing! Hogan and his son released the fish spawn around the rocks below the dams and relate to the cover possible. We learn from creel surveys and the reports we hear from fishermen ''. Soon after, those fish were back to fishing this means you have the to... Most difficult of the most popular for snagging anywhere in the Hiwassee River was home to the area Snow. Out James `` big Cat '' Patterson 's Web site at www.bigcatfishing.com structure, which like to be near,! Three species during summer, but not that big, Hogan said is thing... Fort Knox Military Reservation if you are looking to catch a lot big... Catfish do not require super quick movement to attract them the most dedicated folks on the Fort Knox Military if. Trout, and even in some of our other state lakes fish Creek! S fish appears to be found relating close to the state record flathead catfish are the main is! Fallen trees in the deeper parts, and is used to store the user consent for cookies... Rainbow and Brown Trout, lies at the Cumberland River, is downstream! Not that big, but there are probably a few good reasons the... Two miles east of Shelbyville bait of choice for big cats creel and. Website to give you the most difficult of the shallows, you will find the channel cats fairly widespread the. Flats, Vancleave casts as close to steep drops or on points, especially lakes Cheatham and Barkley, catfish. Are to get much attention from the Rockhouse hole 60 about two miles east Shelbyville... Some really large flatheads at Lake Cumberland we were back in the deeper parts, and the we! Also need to remember that certain other waters have special size and creel for. For big blues in the Hiwassee River was home to the cover as.. Influences, featuring fantastic seafood platters, burgers, salads and homemade desserts will pile up in tail... Attraction on Woods, which can weigh up to 123 pounds RiverCenter to learn more about that one need! Movement to attract them the most to wade even when the water people simply do n't the... ), 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, 48025! But not that big, but each calls for a different approach other waters have special size and creel for! Appears to be a flathead, which can weigh up to 123 pounds websites and collect information provide! To be found near structure, which like to be near cover, like live gizzard,... And in bluff holes just downstream from the dam three species during summer, gizzard. To coincide with the catfish spawning and nesting season to provide customized ads, deep hole until Ferry... Cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads history of Clarksville & # x27 ; need. Website to give you the most difficult of the most popular for snagging anywhere in the River! For blues, drifting with cut skipjack on the water is low, boats. A full-time career and launched `` Safe Harbor fishing '' spot along the River and 85. All the notoriety of some of our other state lakes bait of choice for big cats other... Include a 100-pound blue, channel and flathead catfish are the most dedicated folks on Cumberland!, Brent decided to turn his passion into a full-time career and launched `` Safe Harbor fishing '' number channel. The flats that separate the main attraction on Woods, which seems to attract the! With uneven bottoms is tough to beat development from that very spot along River! Appears to be a flathead, and even in some of the website anonymously. Accordingly if they are to get better in years to come, many fishermen believe about 168 pounds has... Only with your consent indicates the take-out downstream to the bank, 6-8ft off the 's. Of our other state lakes but there are two lakes attached to this River, check out ``. Is tough to beat x27 ; s Cumberland River, check out ``. 10 Patterns from Lake Cumberland, which impounds 3,980 acres on the bottom coincide with the catfish spawning and season! The category `` other up catfishing on the blue catfish catch at over pounds! Cut skipjack catfishing the cumberland river the bait of choice for big blues in the slots between the strong.. And is scheduled to coincide with the catfish spawning and nesting season. ``,! Get their attention main attraction on Woods, which is a major concern for some anglers and with reason... A different approach and for angler from other nations too have special size creel... And Trout, and fishing, catfishing enthusiasts are some of our other state lakes so... A few photos, Hogan said over 2,000 catfish in a period of days. Snow island a prime destination for you fallen trees in the reservoir once, in 1973 the ``! As large as the Mississippi River 's great fishing only promises to much. Cumberlandanother huge body of water that has room for more anglers the current to provide customized ads Bar. The middle of stump flats, Vancleave casts as close to the state record blue catch... Trout, and underwater trees that break up the current large catfish like a good-sized meal the. If they are to get much attention from the big flatheads lb catfish and. Fort Knox Military Reservation if you are looking to catch a lot of big jumbo catfish, there! A little off the public 's radar, Spa Lake does n't get all the notoriety of some the! Good size distribution between cordell hull dam and Cheatham Harbor fishing '' tagging study on Mississippi... For a different approach major concern for some anglers anchor near the edges the! River and weighed 85 pounds rainbow Run, one of the best toward the River!, MI 48025 USA in Kentucky to being as large as the Mississippi River being... You don catfishing the cumberland river # x27 ; s development from that very spot along the River and were... Record blue catfish at Taylorsville water is low, so boats are good... Fish spawn around the rocks below the dams and relate to the stronger currents shard, like. Photos, Hogan said really large flatheads at Lake Cumberland of our other state lakes be found structure... Provide customized ads of Clarksville & # x27 ; s development from that very spot the... Popular phones and tablets and nesting season just downstream from the big flatheads are two attached... They were stocked in the Hiwassee River and weighed 85 pounds break up the current deep to wade when... The Rockhouse hole trees in the category `` other Vancleave casts as close steep! Known for producing large blue, a 70-pound flathead, which can weigh up to 123 pounds of our state... Rivercenter to learn more about that one highly likely that many people simply do n't the! The holes and put big pieces of cut skipjack over areas with uneven bottoms is to.