Stable conditions always make for the best fishing. Over the past few years, finding stability in the weather has been difficult. It’s been more like a couple nice days followed by a stormy day, followed by wind, followed by big heat or big cold. Getting a fish pattern to line up seems daunting at times, and we must make constant adjustments to find fish.

In 2024, we knew the rivers would be low as winter ended. What we were greeted with (while thinking we would have drought conditions) is near-perfect river levels for weeks on end. There was just enough runoff to keep the river within a two-inch range for almost a month. It was just a matter of waiting for the water to warm up and for it to be catfish time.

Spring took some time to arrive, and there were some timely rains to keep the water levels stable. Finally, with the sun doing its job, we got to the magic 50-degree water temperature.

Normally, there is spring high water, and the levels are falling when the water temperature reaches 50. The fish start out sluggish until the water levels off. Then, as anglers, we are hoping it doesn’t get too hot, too fast.

This year (2024), with stable water levels and temperatures, the fish came to life all at once. Even though the water temperature remained very cool and the catfish metabolism was slow, the stability told the fish to feed—and feed hard.

How to catch stable-water catfish

To catch aggressive catfish, the first thing is to start in traditional faster-current feeding areas, such as the outside bends of a river. I usually start near the bank, cast into the center of the hole, and put baits near the shore for more sluggish fish. You should know in very quick order if the fish are in these areas, as the most aggressive feeders will be in the most aggressive feeding areas.

If you find fish right away, keep a rough timer (or reel timer) and don’t fish for more than 20 to 25 minutes without a fish before moving on. If they are not in these faster-water areas, they will not be very far away.

At this point, look for areas where the current is pushing away from the hole or shallow bank areas, rather than on them. Follow the same situation, putting bait in the hole and next to the bank. This time, give the spot a bit more time for the fish to react to the bait.

Shore fishing

If you find catfish in the off-current situation, you may see your bite fall off in mid-day. This just means to move back to the heavier current, because the fish likely turned back on and are aggressively feeding. Again, that is why you fish the slower-water areas near the faster feeding areas.

These stable situations make shore fishing much easier, too. Once a shore angler finds the right spot, the fish will cycle in, especially in pre-spawn. Getting on a good spot can provide many days of great shore fishing success.

One key to shore fishing success, like any, is finding the right current seam where catfish are traveling from hole-to-hole and spot-to-spot. From shore, this might take a few casts and sinker adjustments to keep the bait right in the proper current seam. While this seems trivial, a foot or two from the right current seam can mean the difference between catching or not catching fish, especially during spring migrations.

As summer goes on

We all hope that consistent water and weather conditions persist through an entire year, with the exceptions of some summer storms. I have never seen a full summer of perfect stable conditions; there is always some hiccup that requires some thought and adjustments to bait, technique or location.

Should stable conditions persist throughout the summer, just keep doing mostly what you did earlier in the year. One adjustment as pre-spawn goes through spawn and into summer is that the fish will spread out over more miles of river, with less fish in certain areas.

So, just stay on the move, working the river the same way you have. Keep working the timer to figure out when the fish are biting. Look at holes with an on and off current seam. Early in your outing, figure out which current seam the fish are preferring, and from there just move hole-to-hole, using that seam until the bite tells you to look elsewhere.

Don’t forget to check snags, too, if your river has them. They offer great shade and protection, making them good areas for fish to rest and wait for an easy meal.

Stable water happens from time to time, making for amazing fishing, but it tends to not last all season. Use these little tips to get the most from stable conditions to make the most of your catfish adventures.

If you enjoy catfishing, you’ll find suggestions for locations and techniques in every issue of MidWest Outdoors, available by subscribing on our website.