Good Places to find Cats

[docbas]

I've only caught catfish through the ice on private ponds.  Where's the best places to look on public waters (assuming there are catfish to be caught)?

[redneck]

Try in the deeps part of the lake/river your fishing in. I seem to catch the most 20 ft. plus water. Try anything just when you think you know it all something new will happen.
Redneck

[docbas]

sounds logical.  How about bait?  Stinky stuff or big minnows?

[TroutFishingBear]

Use fresh minnows about 3-6 inches long, dead has worked best for me. If you find the deepest hole in the reservoir or lake, that is where they will be

[docbas]

Thanks, Bear.  I'll have to give that a try this winter.

[iceintheveins]

I also have heard the closest deep hole to a feeder river in a lake or reservoir is good. So if you have deep areas of 80 feet in the main basin or near the dam, and you have a deep hole of 40 feet fairly close to the main river inlet, I would try the one adjacent to the river first.

Tyler

[4cator]

Great advice, thanks for the info.

[TheBigPickerel]

good advice given by  iceintheveins,  caught 2 channel cats with it

[brokenline]

ive found them in 2 feet of water along the shore by blown down trees

[salmonrebel]

I've found them, in, and around rockpiles, and other structure, while fishing for walleyes at night, a foot or less off the bottom. Depending, on the place you fish, they usually are very good eating, and a good addition to the rest of your catch.

[brown-time]

I found this one at 45 feet off a flat next to a point in my perch hole.  Was catching small perch for bait and tip-ups for pike when the cat hit, thought it was a small pike or decent trout.  It was great eating, as good as the crappie we later caught.

Crazy thing is my friend caught it's catfish twin the day before out of the same hole, our first cats through the ice on this lakes in a hundred trips.