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By Cal Evans and Pat Milburn
Recipes
 These
sunny days of spring are perfect for shaking off our cabin fever, dusting
off the fishing rods and heading out for some of the years most spectacular
catfish action. As the spring sun warms shallow bays, whisker fish become
active feeders. These great fighters are among the most toothsome of the
sportfish available in Utah.
There are two species of catfish in Utah: Ictalurus punctatus (channel catfish, channel cat) and Ictalurus melas (black bullhead, bullhead, mudcat).
Catfish are naked fish, that is, they don't have any scales. However, they do have dorsal and pectoral fins, with very strong, sharp spines so be very careful when you handle them.
Some of the most popular hot spots for cats along the Wasatch Front in the spring are: Utah Lake (west side, Lincoln Beach, the boat harbors, as well as any other shallow warming bay), Willard Bay (north and south marma areas), Bear River, Sevier River below Yuba and the shallow bays at Yuba.
The channel catfish is bluish-olive above and bluish-white below. Younger fish have spots over some or all of their bodies. Most of the channel catfish caught in Utah average 2 to 4 pounds, however, the state record is 32 pounds 5 ounces (Utah Lake, 1978) while the world record on hook and line is 55 pounds.
The first record of channel catfish planted in Utah was 1911 when they were planted in the tributaries of Utah Lake. Since that time they have become well established in the Green River, Colorado River, Bear River, Jordan River, Willard Bay, Sevier River and Yuba Reservoir.
The mudcat, by contrast, is somewhat smaller with the average being about 12 inches and the state record being 2 pounds 7 ounces (Utah lake, 1984). They were first introduced in 1871, when small fish were planted in the Jordan River. Today they are found in the Sevier River, Green River, Colorado River, Jordan River, Utah Lake, Logan River, Willard Bay and Bear River.
Mudcats have a large head that makes up most of the fishes weight. They are blackish, olive or brown with a yellowish belly. Although they are just as palatable as the channel cat, you need more of them to make a good catfish fry.
Contrary to common belief, you don't fish for kittys with a telephone pole, cable and winch. We use medium weight spinning or baitcasting tackle with 8-12 pound test monofilament. Your tackle need will be dictated by the number of snags in the area you fish. Some catfish locations call for heavy line to pull the fish through the snags. There is also the very real possibility of hooking into a hawg when you are out catfishing. For these reasons, remember to check your reel and insure that your line is in good condition. There is nothing as heartbreaking as losing a porky kitty to old line. Use any good size bait hook (size 4 and larger). We prefer a size 1/0-2/0 short shank (octopus, salmon, beak) because of their hooking ability and strength.
Our two favorite bait rigs are a bobber with the bait suspended just off the bottom and a sliding egg sinker rig.
The bobber method is very effective for calm weather conditions in snaggy areas since the bait is suspended up off the bottom. To rig with a bobber, use a clip-on kind, adjusting the line so the bait is just up off the bottom.
The sliding egg sinker method is effective for most catfishing situations. When using an egg sinker rig, select the amount of weight based on wind conditions (we prefer 3/8 oz. to 1/2 oz.), distance needed to cast, or the amount of current if fishing a river. To rig the egg sinker, first slide it onto your line, tie on a swivel, then tie on another 12 to 18 inches of line before the hook. This allows the catfish to take the bait without feeling any resistance on the hook.
In general, catfish are not particular about what they eat until you try to catch them. Some of the best baits are worms, minnows, stink baits, dip baits, cheese, carp meat and other legal fish meat (check regulations), shrimp or anything else that stays on the hook and smells bad. Generally, catfish feed on anything that smells and is on the bottom. Channel catfish, however, are sometimes predatory and can be taken on lures.
Some days the catfish are aggressive and hook themselves as they take the bait. However, if you are getting bites without hooking fish, try letting the fish take some line out before setting the hook. If you find that fishing is slow, try to vary your depth by casting out farther or reeling in closer (anything to vary depth).
If this does not help, move to a new location. We have found that moving as little as 100 yards can make a big difference.
Do not leave your catfish rig unattended! Many a good fishing outfit has gone to a watery grave with a catfish or a carp attached to the other end.
If you are lucky enough to catch some catfish, remember, fish start to deteriorate the minute they are caught. Since waters catfish are caught in are usually quite warm, leave your stringer at home and put the fish immediately on ice.
Although there are many myths and rituals surrounding the cleaning of catfish, we have found that filleting is the easiest and best method. Use the 'around the rib' filleting method as the ribs are very large and tough on catfish. Take great care to remove any dark red meat that is found on the skin side of the fillet as it is oily and fishy tasting and then enjoy.
The only thing better than a good day of catfishing is the catfish and hushpuppy fry that follows. Here are a couple of our favorite recipes to try. Good luck and good eating!
Recipe 1
Ingredients
Catfish fillets cut into single serving size (for ease of turning and
even cooking)
Milk to cover fillets
3 eggs
1 cup flour
Seasoned breadcrumbs (Italian is great!)
Oil for frying
Method
1. Soak fillets in milk for 1 hour.
2. Drain and pat dry.
3. Dust with flour.
4. Dip in beaten eggs.
5. Dredge in bread crumbs and let sit on cookie sheet for 15 min.
6. Fry to golden brown in 350 d. oil.
Recipe 2
Ingredients
Catfish fillets cut into single serving size (for ease of turning and
even cooking)
2 T. Mustard (regular yellow)
1 Cup yellow cornmeal
1 Cup flour
1/4 t. Lemon pepper
1/4 t. Paprika
1/4 t. Poultry seasoning
Oil for frying
Method
1. Mix dry ingredinets in bowl.
2. Thinly coat fillets with mustard.
3. Dredge fillets in commeal-flourspice mixture and let sit on cookie
sheet for 15 min.
4. Fry to golden brown in 350 degree oil.
Recipe 3
Ingredients
1 Cup yellow cornmeal
1/2 Cup flour
3 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1 1/2 t. sugar
1 med onion (finely diced)
1/2 Cup milk
2 Eggs
Oil to float hushpuppies
Method
1. In bowl, mix dry ingredients.
2. Stir in the onion.
3. Mix in milk and eggs. Let stand 30 min.
4. Drop tablespoons of batter into 350 degree oil.
If the batter is the right consistency, they will flip themselves over
when they are done on the first side. Keep your eye on them and turn if
necessary. Makes 20-25 hushpuppies.
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