| All catfish species will start there spawning period | | | | spawning location regardless of the type will only |
| when the water temperature is between 75 degrees | | | | have a entrance big enough for the male and female |
| Fahrenheit and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The length of | | | | catfish to swim in. The male will turn himself around |
| the spawning period will vary depending on the | | | | inside the hole so his head is pointing out of the hole |
| regional location. The spawn will be triggered by the | | | | to fend off intruders. The male will attack anything |
| length of day light which catfish can sense from their | | | | that comes close to the hole while the eggs are |
| pineal gland, and as the water temperature gets to | | | | incubating or if the catfish fry are still on the nest. |
| 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The length of light in | | | | The female will swim in and lay here eggs and the |
| combination with the water temperature guarantees | | | | male will fertilize them. After the eggs are fertilized |
| that the catfish eggs will not be laid to early. The | | | | the male chases the female out of the nest and will |
| catfish spawn can happen as early as april in the | | | | continue to guard the nest. The male will continue to |
| deep south, or as late as August in the north. | | | | fan the eggs to keep silt off until the eggs hatch. |
| The spawn will not effect your bait fishing efforts. | | | | The eggs will hatch in approximately 1 week. The |
| During the spawn period all species of catfish are still | | | | catfish fry will stay in the nest with The male for |
| active. Because the spawning period is so long for | | | | approximately one week before they venture out on |
| catfish not all catfish will spawn at the same time so | | | | their own. A male can spawn multiple times through |
| their still plenty of good eating or large catfish to | | | | out the spawn period but the female will only have |
| catch with your special catfish baits. | | | | one clutch of eggs per year. |
| To begin the spawn the male catfish will seek a hole | | | | During the spawn catfish are aggressive and will hit |
| at the bottom or a pocket in the bank. Catfish will | | | | on just about any catfish bait you put in front of |
| also spawn in hollow sunken logs and old discarded | | | | them. A good catfish bait I always use while I am |
| tires. Catfish need to find correct spawning area or | | | | bait fishing during this season are creek chubs, but |
| they will not spawn at all, which is a common | | | | other cut baits such as gizzard shad would work also. |
| occurrence in very small stocked ponds. Catfish will | | | | Make your cut your catfish baits into chunks and |
| spawn in small stocked ponds if artificial spawning | | | | place them on a 5/0 to 7/0 hook. |
| structures are planted on the bottom. | | | | Well that concludes my article about catfish spawning |
| Small catfish spawn in small holes or pockets and | | | | and catfish bait. Have a great day! |
| large catfish need large holes or pockets.The | | | | |