Channel Catfish Fishing in Minnesota
Found in Minnesota’s rivers and some lakes, especially the Mississippi, Minnesota, and St. Croix rivers. Hard fighters and great on the table.
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
Found in Minnesota's rivers and some lakes, especially the Mississippi, Minnesota, and St. Croix rivers. Hard fighters and great on the table.
Size Limit
No minimum
Daily Bag
5
Season
Year-round
State Record
38 lb 0 oz
Mississippi River (1975)
Best Months to Fish
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
What to Use
Live Bait & Natural
Cut baitNightcrawlersChicken liverStink bait
Lures & Artificials
Circle hooks with cut baitSlip sinker rigs
Minnesota Lakes with Channel Catfish
176 lakes in our directory have channel catfish — sorted by size.
Big Stone
Big Stone County
11,983.83 acres
Traverse
Traverse County
10,848.54 acres
Minnewaska
Pope County
8,050.27 acres
Island Lake Reservoir
St. Louis County
8,000.51 acres
Big Sandy
Aitkin County
6,124.86 acres
Green
Kandiyohi County
5,569.01 acres
Whiteface Reservoir
St. Louis County
4,567.47 acres
Marsh
Big Stone County
4,461.86 acres
Shetek
Murray County
3,462.22 acres
Big Kandiyohi
Kandiyohi County
2,729.83 acres
Albert Lea
Freeborn County
2,669.17 acres
Mud
Traverse County
2,448.64 acres
More Minnesota Fish Species
Plan Your Channel Catfish Trip
Find lakes, guides, and bait shops for your next channel catfish fishing trip in Minnesota.
Explore Lakes Find a Guide Bait & TackleRegulations shown are statewide defaults. Some waters have special regulations — always check the current Minnesota DNR regulations before fishing. A Minnesota fishing license is required for ages 16+.