Catfish in water. Jul 16, 2025 · Learning how to catch catfish in rivers shouldn’t be overly complicated. Catfish bite year-round, but winter catfishing requires a few more strategies. Why? When water temperatures dip below 50 degrees, the fish slow down and become less aggressive hunting for food. Sep 1, 2021 · In cold water, catfish become a little more sluggish, but they still feed and will quickly bite a slice of cut shad or other bait. Dec 6, 2023 · This is a simple guide to catch more river catfish in the colder months with simple setups and rigs for those who like to eat catfish Everything a catfish does in their lives is based on water temperature. Catfish seek safety in deep water as the water temperature falls into the middle 50s and lower. Channel cats thrive in water with good oxygen levels and food. Nov 13, 2020 · Catching catfish in cold water may require a bit more work, but it can be worth the effort; here's what you need to do. Catching Catfish in rivers just comes down to effective location, proper bait placement, and trial and error but some added tips will surely add to your success. .