Jeff Adkins, 46, and fellow catfish angler Earl Elliott, 30, both from Morgan County, were after their favorite fish on the Ohio River near Maysville when friendly competition broke out between the two fishermen. Their rivalry ended when a monster whiskerfish was hoisted onboard.

"Earl was catching some big fish," Adkins says. "He had landed three nice-sized channel cats, and I told him I'd catch one that would make three of his biggest. A short time later, I got lucky and pulled in a 47-pound flathead."

Adkins and Elliott are known for seizing every opportunity on the mighty Ohio to angle for catfish. Whether in a boat or camp-fishing from the bank, these two experts have proven that trophy catfish are available all along the northern perimeter of the Bluegrass State.

Flatheads, blue catfish and channel cats are the dominant species for Kentucky anglers. And along with the Ohio River, several inland lakes provide excellent catfishing opportunity as well.

"The channel catfish is probably the most sought-after species of catfish in Kentucky," says Paul Rister, fisheries biologist for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife. "We stock many of our smaller lakes with channel catfish. However, when you include the rivers and tailwaters, then blue catfish become the more popular species."

Biologist Rister notes that a 12-inch minimum-size limit is imposed on lakes that are stocked with channel catfish. But in the larger lakes and rivers, there are no size or creel limits.

June is the premier month for catching the big boys, regardless of species. So whether your chosen catfish hole is river or lake, the best fishing usually occurs after sundown. Time to bait a hook, build a fire, roast some hot dogs and have plenty of patience until the tug of war begins.

The following three hotspots are recommended for just such an adventure.

OHIO RIVER
A catfish angler's paradise, the mighty Ohio offers plenty of food, diverse habitat and miles of fishable water. Deciding where to fish and knowing what to look for are your initial dilemmas. For first-time Ohio River anglers, Jeff Adkins offers the following advice:

"Don't be intimidated by the big water," Adkins says. "Have a good graph where you can find some deep holes. Take a couple of heavy anchors. Most of the time in June, the channel cats will suspend at an average depth of about 20 feet."

Adkins says he prefers bank-fishing after nightfall. He notes how barge and other boat traffic can sometimes be unpredictable, and he would rather boat-fish during the daytime. Inexperienced anglers are advised to exercise extreme caution when boat-fishing at night.