I was wondering when all you catfishing guys start heading out on the mighty mississippi for big cats? I have been told a few times that you have to wait for the right water temp for big fish to start feeding good. Thanks for your input.
Big flathead cats on the river get active as soon as the water starts to warm over 55 degrees in my experience. That varies a bit but May to mid June is prespawn. A couple weeks in June the fish are spawning and hard to get and then a distinct post spawn until labor day or so. Here in Madtown I chase channels from ice out until May 1 in the north bays during the day and start fishing at night thereafter. Channels are often the first fish on the Madison chain to go on a tear. Crappie time is big channel cat time here. I’ve had 100 fish days in 42 degree water at times on channel cats. Take care and welcome to the site.
I guess I have never really looked at the water temp much. I want to say mid 50’s. 
Look for a guy by the name of Brian K he will know for sure, and is the guy to ask. 
Welcome to IDO.
Not sure where your from or looking to fish, but the Pool 4 cats aren’t waiting around.
Herb is somewhere around Pool 7(?) and put 21 in his frig the other day.
The flathead bite would be tough around here right now, but with channel cats it’s game on!!
PS…Welcome to Ido Jmaj101!
Most of the catfish talk along with lots more opinions are in the Species Specific Forum under Catfish/Sturgeon.
Lots of reading there too.
Like Kev (he’s the channel cat expert) and John were saying, the guys are catching channels through the ice all winter and anyplace there’s open water on the ‘sippi.
Live fatheads, crushed fatheads…heads only and even Stink Bait works well as long as it’s warmed enough to get it in the tube.
Yes the channels will go all winter. I have also had good luck for channels with chicken livers on a deadstick.
I know on the Minnesota river, one will not see much for action at all until the mid 50’s.
For 2-3 years I tried very hard to land a flat with the water temps in the 40’s and I am done with that.
pool 18
18?
How can you find a catfish with all those carp down there? 
Old indian trick.
Thanks for the input! I never mind getting my hands on a few channels!
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