There are hundreds, if not thousands, of good spots along this river’s 360 miles of fishable waters. Darn near anywhere you can find a deep hole, some rock and a little wood, you’re likely to find a flathead or a channel cat.

Still, a couple of places deserve special mention. The first spot is the stretch of water that flows through Mammoth Cave National Park. It’s not only one of the most beautiful places on this Earth, but also one of the best catfish waters, certainly in Kentucky.

Fish this spot much as you would any other top catfish location, using stink baits for channels and live bait for flatheads. The current can be a problem in this area, however. To fish it effectively, you’ll need stout tackle and very strong, abrasion-resistant line. Make sure to use plenty of weight on your rig to keep your bait down near the bottom. If it’s floating more than a foot or two above the bottom of the river, you’re wasting your time here.

If you’re boating in this area, be especially careful. The water can get low at times, and the rocks seem to come out of nowhere. But you don’t need a boat to fish this stretch of river effectively. The area offers some wonderful bank-fishing opportunities. It’s a great place to spend a relaxing afternoon, evening or night.

Another productive spot is at the Griffith Slough, about six miles upstream from where the Green River flows into the Ohio River. This slough is large, and has plenty of shallow and deep water. It’s well known for its night-fishing potential, most notably for flatheads.

In fact, Hanley considers the entire lower stretch of the river -- several miles downstream and several miles upstream from Griffith -- as one of the best flathead hotspots in the state. He attributes much of the excellent fishing here to its proximity to the Ohio River.

Carolina rigs are especially popular in this spot. Relatively light line -- something around 20-pound-test is about right -- will suffice here, as will lighter sinkers. The fish are big, but the conditions kind. Don’t forget that flatheads are true predators, not scavengers. This is live-bait water, not stink-bait water. Locally caught minnows are the bait of choice for most successful anglers

Those two spots notwithstanding, some of the Green River’s best catfishing is along the main river itself. Nearly every mile of it is marked by sharp swings, twists and turns. These are some of the best fishing spots the river has to offer. And fishing them isn’t hard, nor does it require a lot of specialized tackle or expensive equipment.

To fish a bend or swing correctly, begin at the downstream end of it and work your way upstream. Always be on the lookout for holes or drops along the bottom. Work both the inside and outside borders of the bends. You never know where the catfish will be hiding on any given day or night.