Another renowned Ohio River spot to find catfish is along the shallow, rolling flats near Anderson Ferry (mile marker 478.3). Channel cats as well as smaller flatheads and blues are taken regularly from these waters. You won’t have much trouble finding where the hot bite is for the day or night. Just look for a large collection of boats anchored or drifting with the wind and current.

But don’t let the fishing pressure run you off. This spot has produced high numbers of catfish for over 20 years, and shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, it might be getting better as the fishing in the river seems to be getting better.

The usual baits -- stink baits for channels, live bait for flatheads and cut bait for blues -- will get the job done here.

The Anderson Ferry flats are especially productive at night. In fact, that may be the best time to fish them. A word of caution is in order, however: The Ohio River is not for inexperienced anglers after dark. She can be very unforgiving to the careless or naïve. Pay attention to what you’re doing, keep a sharp eye out for commercial traffic and always wear your PFD.

Finally, no review of catfishing on the Ohio River would be complete without a mention of the tailrace waters below the dams. Each of these dams offers fine catfishing, especially for after-dark bank-fishermen. Make a few bologna sandwiches, buy a bag of chips, pack the cooler full of your favorite soft drinks and build a fire. You’ll be good to go.

At the dams, most experienced anglers use “surf” rods or very long, heavyweight catfish rods to increase their casting distance. Stink baits, live baits and cut baits are all popular. These baits are typically rigged on large circle hooks with a heavy (6 ounces or more) flat river sinker to hold the bait in place. Line weights vary, but most anglers use at least 40- pound-test. Tailrace waters are snag-prone, so stout line is a must.

There are 10 dams in the Ohio River bordering Kentucky. Starting upriver in eastern Kentucky and working downriver, the first is the Greenup Dam (mile marker 341), then comes the Meldahl Dam (mile 436.2), then Markland (mile 531.5), McAlpine (mile 606.8), Cannelton (mile 720.7), Newburgh (mile 776.1), Myers (mile 846.0), Smithland (mile 918.5), Dam 52 (mile 938.9) and finally, Dam 53 (mile 962.6).

Pay particular attention to the waters below the Cannelton Dam. That’s where Bruce Midkiff caught his legendary 104-pound blue catfish on August 28, 1999.

Overall, biologist Doug Hanley, of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, rates the Ohio River as fair for 2006. He’s quick to qualify that rating, however, by pointing out that it takes into account the full length of the river and anglers’ widely varying skill levels. Fishing the right spots with the right bait will radically change that rating.

GREEN RIVER
The Green River, located in the south-central part of the commonwealth, is home to a 97-pound state-record flathead caught in June of 1956 by Esker Carroll. Though it hasn’t produced another monster whiskerfish for over 50 years, the Green River is still one of the best catfishing rivers in Kentucky.