Most anglers are still catching channel catfish, but blue catfish are making haste to change that. Most of the better blue catfish fishing is found just upstream of the Morgantown Power Plant to the Indian Head area. A good fish finder mounted on a center-console boat makes a good catfish boat on this wide river. Look for deep holes and ledges coupled with structure. Be advised the fast-moving weather can make the water rough in short order; therefore, anglers are encouraged to keep an eye on the weather.

Channel catfish are abundant in the river from the Harry Nice Bridge all the way to the West Virginia line. On the tidal section of the river, it is hard to beat bottom-fishing a piece of cut perch, peeler crab or shad. Stout 7-foot baitcasting or heavy-duty spinning rods and reels are necessary to battle the fish you may encounter in this stretch of the river. It is not uncommon to hook a skate while catfishing during the summer, either.

To catch channel catfish, find the edge of the channel, a dropoff, a shoal or riprap with baitfish around it and the fishing will be hot. The downtide sides of shoals are particularly good locations.

A map that will help anglers pinpoint the shoals is put out by GMCO Maps (GmcMaps.com). A good fish finder will do the rest. Some fish finders, such as the later model Lowrance models, have excellent mapping software that leads anglers to such locations. These units are incredible aids to finding perfect fish structure. Look for bait balls before dropping a line overboard.

Upriver, catfish can be caught in any of the creeks or off the bank with ease. Worms, cut bait and chicken liver are very effective on channel catfish. Keep in mind that there is a consumption advisory concerning catfish.

Anglers looking for a pond or lake to fish will find Burke Lake in Fairfax County, Lake Brittle in Fauquier County, Lake Curtis in Stafford County and Lake Orange in Orange County offer northern Virginia anglers a good selection of destinations with a real chance to take home a fresh meal of clean channel catfish. All are regularly stocked with catfish.

Anglers may expect to harvest fish in the 2- to 3-pound range, but fish up to 20 pounds are possible. The old standby technique of dunking chicken liver, stink bait, night crawlers and minnows on the bottom works well. However, some anglers will find that using a johnboat or canoe with a fish finder to locate humps or ledges with boulders, treetops or stumps nearby will increase their take of channel catfish. Most of the catfishing pressure occurs in the summer months during the day and night. Remember that the harvest is limited to 20 per day/per person.

Catfishing in Virginia is as easy as going to your local river or lake. Most waters have a thriving catfish population and the fight that even a 2-pound fish will put up makes the trip exciting. Take a child with you and show them how much fun fishing for Mr. Whiskers can be!