Columbia Cats

[joshswrench]

Wondering if anyone has had any luck with Columbia catfish. I hear there is some in there, but never see reports of anyone catching anything. I know the snake has a good population of them, but thats a heck of a drive for me.

[crankbait42]

i have heard of them in there to but i never hear anything about sturgeon fisherman catching them and you would think the catfish would eat what is being used for sturgeon. i also know someone who fishes it often for sturgeon and i dont think he has caught any either. if there are any in there they might just not hang out with the sturgeon or maybe they are just few and far between.

[fishaholictaz]

I hear the cats get caught in the eddies and sloughs not in the main river:-$ Most sturgeon are fished with shrimp and herring and neither of those baits would be my first choice for cats.

[DannyCore]

My dad caught a 12 lb catfish at paradise park a few years back. I went to the park and hooked about an eight foot sturgeon, and caught a 4 lb blue. Better luck in the snake!

edit-all caught off cutbait from the shore in the main river.

[fishaholictaz]

I hear the cats get caught in the eddies and sloughs not in the main river:-$ Most sturgeon are fished with shrimp and herring and neither of those baits would be my first choice for cats.

I was talking below Bonny. More the Portland Vancover area.

[CraigVM62]

Cut Shad and Smelt are used a good bit below the dam, depending what is in the river spawning. I would think anything that is dead and floating down river would be on the catfish menu. I spend a good amount of time out with guides each year below Bonneville and have yet heard of any bring up catfish stories. We will be out with one next Wed and will specifically ask if they know of any being caught when targeting for keeper sturgeons.

[joshswrench]

Good info! Thanks a ton guys!

[fishman123]

Any of the sloughs coming off of the River are loaded with catfish. The trick is to go out at night. most of the fish that will be caught will be bullheads under 12" but you can find a rockier bottom, with a slight current, you might get into channel cats. Worms are a neverfail bait for catfish, you also may want to try out chicken livers.