Truman Lake
Howls of protest from Lake of the Ozarks, Pomme de Terre, Stockton, and Table Rock advocates notwithstanding, Truman Lake is the Windsor Castle of Missouri's King of Cats. And that's not just the opinion of fisheries biologists either. Angler surveys indicate that Truman is the favorite destination in the entire state for anglers seeking channel cats. Channel cats are everywhere on Truman, but flats with standing timber in the upper third of major arms are a good place to start.

For more information, contact the MDC at (660) 438-7317.

Shawnee Trail CA
Shawnee Trail CA, on Rt. M south of Highway 160 near Mindenmines in Baron County, not only should produce excellent fishing for channel cats in 2007, but it will also do so in a unique setting. This CA's catfish holes are small ponds and strip mine pits. Pin Oak Lake, pits 1 and 27, and ponds 32 and 34 are the best bets for channel cats, but they're far from the only possibilities. Pin Oak Lake and a few of the other pits and ponds have boat ramps, but boats are not a prerequisite to success here. To the contrary, the MDC is working hard to improve bank fishing opportunities throughout the area.

For more information, contact the MDC at (417) 451-4158.

URBAN FISHING
I'd be remiss if I didn't close this article with a mention of the MDC's Urban Fishing Program. Numerous city and county park lakes in Kansas City, St. Louis, and several other towns are stocked with channel cats monthly from April through October. This program has put the king of catfish within walking, bicycling, or bus token distance of more than half of Missouri's population. You can't beat a deal like that!