As summer unfolds, central Ohio has been abuzz with anglers engaged in the summer catfishing season.
Summer nights are ideal for catfishing as these fish move into shallow waters to feed, making it both a popular recreational activity and a source of quality table fare for Ohio anglers.
Nestled just steps from Hoover Reservoir, Old Dutchman Bait & Tackle has been a cornerstone of Westerville's fishing community for eight decades when Courtney Ashcraft's grandfather and great uncle started the business.
"It is a family-owned store. We've been here 72 years," Ashcraft, whose family owns the shop, told the Mount Vernon News.
Ashcraft reflected on the current trends in angler interest.
"People are fishing for a lot of catfish," she said. "Catfishing, absolutely. There are a lot of catfish out here, they're getting pretty big right now.”
Highlighting its commitment to equipping anglers with the tools and knowledge needed for successful outings, Ashcraft's store is well-stocked with essential gear tailored for catfishing success.
"I have picked up a lot of catfish traffic, specifically in the last year or so," she said.
Ashcraft encouraged newcomers to catfishing to stop in.
"We can set them up with everything," Ashcraft said. "I got rods, I got reels, I got all the tackle, I got the bait, I got it all. I got maps of the lake.”
Ashcraft mentioned a local dedicated catfish circuit that draws participants seeking to test their skills and the specialized equipment favored by catfish anglers.
"They use a lot of floating rigs out here," she said. "For catfish, Demon Dragon and Tennessee Walkers are popular choices to keep the bait suspended above the bottom."
In addition to the catfish circuit, Ashcraft also highlighted the bustling activity of bass tournaments held regularly at the Walnut Street boat launch.
"They have two bass tournaments a week on Wednesdays and Thursday nights," she said.
Catfish enthusiasts are enjoying successful outings across local reservoirs, with strong catches of channel and occasional flathead catfish reported, according to recent fisherman reports.
Unlike other game fish that slow down in July, catfish thrive during the summer's peak heat, especially after their spawning season from mid-to-late June. Ideal fishing conditions include nighttime, post-rainstorm or cloudy days, as catfish are less active in bright sunlight due to their light sensitivity.
Game and Fish notes anglers targeting catfish during the day should focus on deeper holes, while at night, the fish move to nearby flats to feed, particularly those adjacent to deeper areas like those found in the western end near Liebs Island.
Launch facilities at Liebs Island, accessible via state Route 79 and Millersport Road, provide convenient entry points for anglers.
Buckeye Lake, 36 miles to the south of Mount Vernon, is one of the state’s premier catfishing lakes.
The lake, which spans Licking, Fairfield and Perry counties, was originally built in the 1800s as a canal feeder lake and is known for its shallow waters.
Throughout the lake, including areas near Cranberry, Avondale and Ayles landings, anglers can anticipate catching channel cats up to 20 pounds, alongside a notable population of flatheads, using baits like soft crayfish for channel cats and creek chubs or suckers for flatheads.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources stocks over 300,000 channel catfish annually across 100 Ohio reservoirs.
Channel catfish typically range from 15 to 25 inches, with some trophy specimens exceeding 26 inches, eligible for Fish Ohio recognition.
Blue catfish, reaching sizes up to 96 pounds, are stocked in strategic locations including Hoover Reservoir, while flathead catfish, known to weigh up to 80 pounds, present a challenge in Ohio's rivers and reservoirs, particularly in the Muskingum watershed.
