It is important to find out if the fish species you are interested in is a cold water fish. Not all fish can survive in cold water; if they manage to tolerate cold water, the fish will be inactive because of the extreme water condition.
Are Catfish Cold Water Fish?
In this post, we will be examining the catfish to know if it is a cold water fish. Anglers make it is a point to know where cold water fish are and how to catch them during winter. Since the catfish is one of the sought after fish species, it will help to know its behavioural pattern in the water.
Catfish and Cold Water
Generally, catfish are known to migrate away from areas with cold water. Left with no option, catfish can go into hibernation if the water temperature drops too low. Averagely, catfish can thrive in water temperature of about 24 degrees to 30 degrees, which is still considered too low for the fish. The most suitable water temperature for the catfish falls between 34degrees to 38 degrees.
At low temperatures, catfish may experience stunted growth. This is one of the reasons farmers are advised to ensure the water in their ponds is adequate for the catfish to thrive. Bigger catfish species such as the bullheads and Mekong giant catfish can thrive in cold water. Apparently, these fish species have more fat deposits in their bodies to protect them from the cold.
Anglers have also confirmed that catfish are more active in warm water. Planning a fishing expedition to hunt for catfish in rivers or lakes is best done at the beginning of the spring season when the water is just getting warmer. The catfish come out during this time in search of food after the long winter period when many of the fish were in hibernation mode.
This is why anglers mark the early spring period as one of the best times to go fishing for catfish. Also, catfish are known to spawn during this time. The warmer water helps to preserve the eggs, and more catfish can survive after hatching if the water is warm.
While catfish shy away from cold water, if they have a choice, anglers can still land much fish when they go on fishing expeditions. There are effective fishing techniques that can lure and encourage catfish to take bites even when the water is cold. It all has to do with your choice of bait. The lure you use must be attractive enough to make the catfish want to leave its hibernation spot to feed.
Fishing for catfish during the cold weather may also require you to go further into the deeper parts of the water where it is warmer. Catfish is sensitive to cold water because, at low temperature, its metabolism slows down. This is an unfavorable condition for the fish; it, therefore, needs to find warmer parts of the river or lake to survive.
Related:
I have been fishing for catfish for over 40 years and they really hate cold water. I have found that they become most active between 60 to 65 degrees. However saying this as you travel around the country you will find them active in the State of Maine at around 50 to 55 degrees and Arizona at 65 to 70 degrees. Their favorite bait is cut carp except for Flatheads, they like only live worms and minnows.