Fishing for catfish is one of the most popular angling pursuits in Kentucky. Along with bass and crappie anglers, catfishing enthusiasts are some of the most dedicated folks on the water. Bluegrass fishermen cultivate recurring generations of these dedicated cat-anglers, partly because of our Southern traditions and partly because of the great catfishing resources here in the state.

After all, the Bluegrass State has some of the best catfishing opportunities in the nation. From farm ponds and small lakes to huge reservoirs and big rivers, we've got every conceivable type of catfishing possibility that one could imagine. Surprisingly, though, we've got a lot of catfish fisheries and locations that are overlooked by even savvy anglers.

Some of these locations are relatively unknown. Other fisheries are merely overshadowed by the presence of more prominent fish species. Regardless of the reason, it's time to shine some light on these hidden whiskerfish gems. Here's the inside scoop on some of our missed catfishing opportunities.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER
The first overlooked catfish hole we'll take a look at will probably be a big surprise for many people. It would probably be difficult for anyone to imagine any water as large as the Mississippi River as being overlooked. Well, overlooked may not be as accurate a description as would be the term underutilized. And when it comes to catfishing, the Mighty Mississippi is tremendously underutilized.

Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) fisheries biologist Paul Rister said there are myriad opportunities on the river that remain virtually unused. And it is not just our fish and wildlife department that shares that opinion. Fisheries biologists from our neighbors in Illinois and Tennessee are also encouraging anglers to take more advantage of the vast population of catfish inhabiting the river.

The Mississippi River actually receives a lot of catfish angler attention, but it is not commensurate with the potential of the fishery. The Mississippi is chock-full of all three main species of catfish and one biologist even remarked, "There is no way the catfish population in the river could ever be impacted by sport fishing." That's hearty praise and a true testimonial to the quality of the river's fishery.

Anglers can find size distribution with all three species of cats from small fiddler size all the way up to true trophy size. It's not uncommon at all for anglers to catch some monster cats from the Mississippi. After all, the world-record blue catfish was pulled from the Mississippi just a few years ago. That fish weighed a whopping 124 pounds!

The river offers a true year-round fishing opportunity for catfish. Of course, spring and fall are usually the best times with the most action, but the summer months can be good as well. Surprisingly, some of the largest fish of the year are often caught during the winter.

There are several reasons why the river is not used as much as it could be. Safety is a major concern for some anglers and with good reason. The river can be very dangerous and anglers must have a stable, sturdy boat if they are going to be out on the water. Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) should be worn at all times. Anglers must obey all safety recommendations on the river and particularly when fishing near locks and dams.

Access is another concern. The river offers a lot of opportunity for shore-bound anglers, both on private property and on public access lands. Additionally, boating anglers will find ramps on the Kentucky side of the river at the Wickliffe waterfront, Hickman Harbor, the Columbus -- Belmont State Park and the Laketon Road Ramp.