· 3 min read
Best time to catch catfish: time of day, season, weather and moon
When to catch channel, blue and flathead catfish: the best hours, months and water temperatures, why rising water helps, and how to use moon phase and solunar windows.
Catfish are one of the most forgiving fish to target, but timing still makes the difference between a slow night and a cooler full of fish. Here's when catfish bite best, by hour, season and conditions.
Best time of day to catch catfish
Night is king, especially in summer. Most catfish feed by smell and touch, and they move shallow after dark to hunt.
- Channel catfish: dusk to around midnight is the classic window, with a second push before dawn. They also bite in daylight on cloudy days or in muddy water.
- Flathead catfish: the most nocturnal. They want live bait, and the best action is often well after dark.
- Blue catfish: bite well in daylight too, especially in deep river channels and in cooler months.
Best season for catfish
| Season | What catfish do | Where to fish |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (water 55–70°F / 13–21°C) | Feed heavily before the spawn | Warming shallows, creek arms, below dams |
| Late spring / early summer | Spawn in cavities and undercut banks; bite slows for a few weeks | Ledges and rocky banks near spawning cover |
| Summer (water 75–85°F / 24–29°C) | Feed hardest at night | Flats next to deep water, channel edges |
| Fall | Feed up for winter as water cools | Main lake and river channels, following baitfish |
| Winter | Slow, but blues stay active | Deep holes, warm-water discharges |
Weather: rain and rising water
Catfish love rising, stained water. After a good rain, food washes into rivers and catfish move to feed in the current seams and at creek mouths. A falling barometer before a storm can also turn on the bite. More in fishing in the rain and barometric pressure and fishing.
Moon phase and catfish
Catfish anglers have strong opinions here. Many report:
- New moon nights are best: darker water makes catfish bolder in the shallows.
- Full moon nights can be good too, especially for channel cats, with the bite shifting later into the night.
The honest answer: the moon is a small factor next to temperature and current. Use it to choose which night to go, then let a solunar window decide when to concentrate. Upcoming dark, close-moon nights are listed in the solunar fishing calendar.
A catfish night plan
- Pick a night near the new moon with stable or falling pressure.
- Arrive before sunset, set up on a flat next to deep water.
- Note the solunar windows: a major after dark is your prime time.
- Use fresh cut bait for channels and blues, live bait for flatheads.
- Stay through the window, then decide if it's worth staying longer.
Always follow local rules on licenses, limits and night fishing.