Date: 05/13/09
Contact: Chris Pietrafeso
Phone: (702) 486-5127 x 3850

CATCHIN’ THE WHISKER FISH

With whiskers on its face that remind us all of the furry felines that walk on land, the catfish is perhaps the easiest of all fish to identify. It’s also one of the most popular species among anglers ranging from the novice to the grizzled veteran. Not only do whisker fish put up a good fight, but they also taste good when dished up at the table.

Here in Clark County catfish are found in all urban ponds as well as in Lake Mead and Lake Mohave. Both bullhead and channel cats are available though most folks aim for the channels due to their aggression and large size. Perhaps the best thing about fishing for catfish is that anglers don’t need special equipment.

“In a day when everyone seems to be taking up outdoor pursuits requiring specialized and often expensive equipment, just the opposite is true for catfish anglers. All you really need is a rod, reel and sharp hooks. My guess is that most anglers of any experience level already have what they need,” said Doug Nielsen, conservation educator for the Nevada Department of Wildlife.

Catfish become more active and hungry when the temperatures are cool and there is little to no sun on the water, so the most popular times to fish are dusk through early morning. This is also the time of day when whisker fish will cruise for food along the shoreline.

Fishing on the bottom is the most common method used to catch catfish due to their scavenging eating behavior. Although catfish will eat algae and fruit, the most common baits include chicken liver, shrimp, anchovies, sardines, squid, and stink baits. Stink baits can be of the homemade variety or commercially prepared. Some anglers leave cut baits in the sun for a day or two so they get good and stinky. A common method for fishing with chicken livers is to cut them into one-inch pieces and then wrap those pieces individually in cheesecloth or pantyhose so they will stay on the hook.

There are several ways to set up a hook and line for whisker fish. Nielsen prefers to use a slip-rig. This technique enables the angler to feel a tug on the line before the fish can feel any tension. The hook is tied on the end of an 18- to 24-inch leader below a swivel and an egg sinker. Egg sinkers are designed to let the line move freely between the fish and the fishing rod, which enables the angler to easily detect strikes.

Once you succeed in catching a catfish, be careful taking it off the hook. Catfish have sharp spines on their side (pectoral) and top (dorsal) fins. The easiest way to hold a catfish is to put your hand under its belly near the tail and slide it up to where your thumb is behind the side fin on one side and your fingers are behind the side fin on the other. It’s not a bad idea to use gloves while doing this.

With several catfish opportunities in southern Nevada and school finishing soon, it’s a great time to go fishing before it’s too hot and the kids are all grown up.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, and promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org.