Catch some cats!

[Quillback]

Catfish Sampling on Lake Leatherwood

Northwest Arkansas biologists completed an assessment of the Channel Catfish population in Lake Leatherwood in June.  Catch rates were very high, with an average of 48 fish caught per net-series.  As a comparison, the statewide median is 10 fish caught per net-series!  Despite the high catch rates, we observed a good number of fish that were over 20 inches, with the largest being 26 inches.  

The lake would really benefit from increased harvest, so if you’re looking for a small, secluded lake in Northwest Arkansas to catch a mess of catfish, you might give Lake Leatherwood a try! Keep in mind that Lake Leatherwood is a no-wake lake, and catfish can only be caught with a rod and reel. 

Lake Leatherwood also has several undesirable aquatic plants, such as Curlyleaf Pondweed and Yellow Floating Heart, so please be sure to clean, drain, and dry your boat or kayak after taking out.  Happy catfishing!

[Terrierman]

Yum, big channels.

[DADAKOTA]

If I eat a channel it will be a small one.  Big ones are too greasy.

[fishinwrench]

1 hour ago, DADAKOTA said:

If I eat a channel it will be a small one.  Big ones are too greasy.

I think it depends on where you catch them.  The ones we caught in the Salt river tribs, and in strip pits & ponds when I was younger were delicious.....but the ones here at Lake O are kinda gross.  

[Quillback]

If it was closer, I'd grab my lantern and go over there some evening, get a few and see if they are any good to eat.  The drive over there from here is brutal, once you get past Indian Creek road on 62, it's curvy and hilly.  You can bet you'll get stuck behind someone hauling a load and going really slow.  

[tjm]

We used to eat a lot of catfish  out of the river that is now Truman Reservoir. I'd guess those had access to Lake of the Ozarks. I wonder now if they were gross and we just didn't know it or if the lake has changed that much?

[Flysmallie]

The ones out of Stockton were always good. We never kept larger ones though. 

[Terrierman]

< 15" they're OK.  Still have that yellow fat along the back that has to come out.

[Flysmallie]

I will confess that I grew up eating catfish out of farm ponds in Oklahoma. Maybe I just don’t realize they taste bad. :

[tjm]

Farm ponds, rivers, creeks, no one told me they weren't good to eat and thinking back some people claimed to like the way they tasted.