At the lower end of the commonwealth, access points for catfish anglers include the Smithland Lock and Dam section of the Ohio River. The Smithland boat ramp is at the confluence of the Ohio and Cumberland rivers, just off U.S. Route 60.

And the city of Paducah's boat ramp is at the foot of Broadway Street at the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee rivers.

KENTUCKY LAKE
The huge area of Kentucky Lake offers catfish anglers a multitude of opportunities to catch fish. This reservoir covers 160,300 acres, is 184 miles in length and has a shoreline that stretches 2,400 miles.

On the southwestern end of the state, Kentucky Lake borders five Kentucky counties: Livingston, Marshall, Calloway, Lyon and Trigg. An additional eight counties in Tennessee border the reservoir as well

According to the recent statewide Fishing Forecast, the best fishing for blue catfish during summer on the main lake is along deep channels. Using live shiners and cut shad or skipjack for bait while drift-fishing in areas where creek channels meet the main channel is a successful catfishing approach.

Year-round fishing opportunities abound in the tailwaters region, while late-spring catfish anglers do best along the rocky shoreline and also the riprap shoreline around the dam and marinas. Another recommended section of Kentucky Lake is along the river channel and on the flats along the channel.

2004 creel statistics for Kentucky Lake show 69,731 catfish were caught, of which 50,798 were channel cats (73 percent). Blue catfish accounted for 16,615 (24 percent) of the catfish caught, and flathead catfish made up the remaining 3 percent (2,091).

Of all the catfish caught in Kentucky Lake, 55,206 (79 percent) were harvested. These harvested catfish weighed a total of 131,748 pounds. The average length and weight for channel catfish was 19.5 inches, 2.37 pounds. Blue catfish averaged 20.7 inches, 3.30 pounds and flatheads averaged 20.3 inches, 3.59 pounds.

When going after catfish in reservoirs, tributaries are excellent locations for fishing. During summer months, the mouths of streams draw catfish, especially at night. Cast behind current breaks, such as a hole or tree, at the stream's mouth. And such locations are also productive after heavy rains.

Bridges also attract catfish in large numbers during periods of hot weather. The shaded channel beneath a bridge provides cooler water, and small baitfish hold near pilings that are often covered with algae, which attract invertebrates and small fish.

Numerous access points on Kentucky Lake are available to catfish anglers. Near the dam on the northwestern end of the lake, Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park provides access not far from U.S. Routes 641 and 62.

The Kentucky Dam Marina is also within the vicinity of the dam. This multiple-lane ramp supplies access for larger boats not far from U.S. Route 641. Shoreline fishing is available at this location, as is a large parking lot, picnic and restroom facilities, and camping.