UTERBlue catfish fishing in Texas freshwater
In Texas freshwater, blue catfish peak October–June and are around year-round, spawning in May–June, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. January: Lake Tawakoni, Texoma and Richland-Chambers: winter blues follow the shad.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Blue catfish in Texas freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryPeakLake Tawakoni, Texoma and Richland-Chambers: winter blues follow the shad.
- FebruaryPeakDrifting cut shad on the flats for 50-pounders.
- MarchPeak
- AprilPeak
- MaySpawning
- JuneSpawning
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberPeak
- NovemberPeak
- DecemberPeak
Where to fish blue catfish near Sam Rayburn, Toledo Bend, Lake Fork
The big East Texas bass lakes — Fork, Rayburn, Toledo Bend — Texoma's stripers, white bass runs up every river, Hill Country rivers with native Guadalupe bass, giant alligator gar, and winter trout.
What to use for blue catfish
- NightcrawlersWhole on a #6 to #2 hook under a bobber or on a bottom rig; threaded on a spinner harness drifted for walleye. The bait that catches everything in fresh water.
- Minnows (fatheads, shiners)Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers.
- Leader10–20 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#2–3/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 40–90°F water, best at 55–80°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch blue catfish in Texas freshwater?
Peak season is October–June, with fish spawning in May–June (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Blue catfish are here year-round. January: Lake Tawakoni, Texoma and Richland-Chambers: winter blues follow the shad.
Where do blue catfish hold in Texas freshwater?
Look on river, reservoir, lake, bridge — around Sam Rayburn, Toledo Bend, Lake Fork, Lake Texoma, Lake Conroe, Guadalupe River.
What is the best bait for blue catfish in Texas freshwater?
Live bait: nightcrawlers, minnows (fatheads, shiners). Nightcrawlers: Whole on a #6 to #2 hook under a bobber or on a bottom rig; threaded on a spinner harness drifted for walleye. The bait that catches everything in fresh water. Tackle: leader 10–20 lb fluorocarbon, hook #2–3/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
What are the rules for blue catfish in Texas freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and change — read the current rule at https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/fishing/freshwater-fishing before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/licenses.
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