Pennsylvania Catfish Fishing Hot Spots

Let's face it, Pennsylvania might not be the first state on the tip of everyone's tongue regarding catfishing... but it should be.

Channel cats, Flatheads, and Bullheads can be found almost everywhere... in big numbers. In fact, flathead catfish have migrated into local Pennsylvanian waters from their native spots in the Ohio River and Lake Erie.

Catfishing in Pennsylvania is growing in popularity, because catfish are more plentiful than ever.

Hotspot #1: The first hot spot is the middle of the Allegheny River. This spot lies between Tionesta (North) and East Brady (South). This spot is littereed with flatheads and channel catfish due to a large wearm-water fishering...which also breeds catfish.

Catfish in the area group in the deepst pools up river...mostly dredge holes. (which are all over the place)

You can catch catfish here from either a boat, or from shore. If fishing from shore, look to setup in Oil City, Tionest, or Reno locations. Lots of good eddies and dredge holes in these locations.

If fishing from a boat, keep in mind there are a lot of shallow areas...so using a jet-drive outboard or a kayak/canoe would be safest.

Hotspot #2: The lower Allegheny River. Yep, same river, just the lower portion.

It's the section between East Brady and Pittsburgh.

There are 8 lock & dam systems impounding this area...and it's 70 miles in length.

Again, you'll find channels and flatheads in volume...

This area requires knowledge of the waters, and good navigation skills...especially if you're fishing from shore.

This is due to the fact that the fishing situation varies from dam to dam. As a rule, stick to the tailraces below dams.

In additional, throw your line into areas around the lock sides of dams... particularly around Rimer, Clinton, Freeport, and Mosgrove areas. These spots have hydro-electric faciliaties next to them, which create low-level waters in August, and create great fishing conditions.

Hotspot #3: The Monongahela River. 2 of the largest 5 catfish caught in 2004 came from this river. One of these was 25 pounds, 41" long...

It's a 90-mile river, and relatively easy to navigate. It's got 6 locks and dams which are all between Pittsburg and the state line of West Virginia.

Try shore fishing from Gray's Landing, Braddoc, Charleroi, Point Marion for starters.

Look for creeks feeding the river, which can provide some excellent catfishing.

Hotspot #4: The Ohio River. It produces awesome catfishing spots.

It is impounded, with more than 30 miles of great fishing from Pittsburgh to the Montgomery Dam. (The beginning and end points of the river.)

One of the best spots here is near Rochester. There's a community park where the Beaver River feeds the Ohio. Excellent gathering of catfish, a prime fishing spot!

Hotspot #5: The Clarion River. There are a ton of channel catfish and blue catfish here, right before Cooksburg. It's a free-flowing section that goes on for about 8 miles.

There's also a pool of slack-water that is 10 miles long. Great location for catfish as well.

Hotspot #6: Lake Arthur. This is an impoundment of bays and coves. It's around 3000 acres, and there's some great catfishing to be had.

Hotspot #7: Yellow Creek Lake. It's smaller htan Arthur...about 700 acres chalk full of bullheads...and it is under-fished, so there catfishing here is awesome.

Now, go try out some of these catfishing hotspots... good fishing in Pennsylvania!