First some background. I'm a catfishing newbie, restricted to fishing from shore because of physical disabilities. I can walk some but not on rough rocky shorelines or approaches, and I haven't been able to reach deep water for daytime summer cats (night vision too poor for driving after dark). I've been picking up a lot from these forums but I haven't seen anything about fishing below dams. Would I find channel cats in the reachable currents and eddies below dams, or would they stay out in the tailwater areas? I'm wondering if the aerated waters below a dam might hold fish feeding in the daytime, as opposed to lurking in the deep. Any comments or suggestions will be much appreciated.
Catfish Fishing
Catfish below dams
I firmly believe that in the river anyway, all gamefish would prefer a sucker minnow over a shiner, or even a fathead..
That said, if you use sucker minnow, you may get walleyes while fishing for cats. I think that’s a fair trade…
Fish near shore where you can find a cut bank. My boat is disabled for now, so I am shore fishing. I was below the Nekoosa dam yesterday with two rods, one out deep and one just a few feet front a sharp drop right at my feet, in less than three feet of water. The fish were not out deep. Folks fishing from shore throw out as far as they can, while boat fisherman cast towards shore.
Another question from the old rookie. I'm learning, and actually catch one every now and then, but the bite rate is frustrating. Lots of daytime hours (can't fish at night) without a bite most of the time. Can I expect the bank fishing to pick up as the waters cool in September and October?
In the reservoirs of the Wisconsin River by Stevens Point here is what I have noticed. The colder the water gets above the dam, the hotter it gets below the dam. Warmer deep slow water for winter time faster cooler water for the summer. I never fish at night because I hate bugs and rarely catch anything. Day cats for me.