Catfish Fishing in Missouri

There are many species of catfish and even more ways to catch them. Adults range in size from less than a pound to hundreds of pounds. They can be found in all types of water including ponds, streams, lakes and rivers. There are even species which spend a limited amount of time on dry land. Big giant catfish put up a very noble fight once hooked.

Glen Jensen caught this 80-pound flathead catfish on Mark Twain Lake.

Catfish Fishing Lakes In Missouri

Monster catfish continue to come from the major rivers in MO. Catfish are abundant in major lakes like Bull Shoals Lake, Harry S. Truman Reservoir, Lake of The Ozarks, Mark Twain Lake, Pomme de Terre Lake, Smithville Reservoir, Stockton Lake, Table Rock Lake, Thomas Hill Reservoir and Wappapello Lake as well as many of the smaller lakes and ponds.

The Missouri state record blue catfish was caught from the Missouri River and the state record channel catfish came from Lake Jacomo. Montrose Lake gave up the state record flathead catfish.

Most catfish are considered bottom feeders to one extent or another. They will generally eat anything that can get in their mouth. Their strongest sense is smell which they use to locate potential food sources. Capitalizing on this sense is the primary weapon in your search for these creatures. Aggressive catfish have been caught on most types of fast moving bass lures so don't under estimate their ability to catch live bait.

Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus

Flathead Catfish
Pylodictis olivaris

Blue Catfish
Ictalurus furcatus

Catfish Bait

Catfish Organizations & Resources

Catfish Conservation Group
Catfish Conservation
U.S. Catfish Anglers Tournaments
Planet Catfish

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Check out catfish information in other areas using the list of states to the left.

All About Fishing for Catfish in Missouri.

58 lbs - 0 oz

34 lbs - 10 oz

65 - 90 Degrees

Prefers slightly stained to murky water with mild current and sand or rock bottom.

123 lbs - 0 oz

77 lbs - 8 oz

75 - 84 Degrees

Prefers streams or large bodies of slightly stained to murky water with moderate current and hard bottom.

124 lbs - 0 oz

103 lbs - 0 oz

68 - 80 Degrees

Found primarily in large river systems with deep current and swift channels.