Pre-Spawn Catfish Bite is Heating Up in the month of June!
Keith Lusher 06.19.25
The June catfish spawn is triggering great fishing across the country as blue catfish stage in deep river bends and channel drops for pre-spawn stage. Anglers from the Southeast to the Midwest are reporting catching more catfish as the pre-spawn activity creates aggressive feeding patterns that put catfish in coolers quickly.
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The key to success during the spawn lies in understanding where catfish congregate. River bends with 20 to 40 feet of water are prime real estate for spawning blues, as these areas provide the structure and current breaks that catfish prefer during reproduction.
“The bends in the river are where you’re going to find deep water and that’s usually where the catfish are,” said Ray Miller, of Madisonville, Louisiana. Miller fishes the Tchefuncte River for crappie, but in June, he switches over to fish for catfish. “June is prime time for these fish to feed heavily before and after their spawn, making them feed more aggressively.”
Miller uses Garmin LiveScope to find massive schools of blue cats suspended 10 to 15 feet deep in water ranging from 30 to 50 feet total depth. The fish often position themselves just below thermoclines and shad schools, creating perfect ambush points.
He recently experienced this firsthand when he located a signature on his screen showing a large group of shad swimming in a narrow line along a thermocline 20 feet beneath the surface. “Watch the catfish underneath those shad,” he said, as blue cats charged up through the baitfish before returning to the group hovering below.
Miller said the most productive fishing occurs during periods of water movement. Slack tide or low current conditions often result in inactive fish, while incoming tides or increased river flow trigger feeding responses. Early morning trips are most effective, allowing anglers to beat summer heat while capitalizing on prime feeding windows.
Effective baits during the spawn include traditional options like chicken liver, market shrimp, and nightcrawlers. Some innovative anglers are experimenting with enhanced baits, such as nightcrawlers treated with special foods that create fluorescent coloring, which has proven exceptionally effective during the spawn.
For those targeting catfish to eat, look for fish measuring 14 to 24 inches as they provide the best eating quality, as larger fish tend to develop stronger bloodlines in the meat. “These are the perfect-sized catfish for eating,” Miller said. “When they get around 20 inches, you’ll start seeing the blood in the meat more.”
Channel structure is critical for success. Look for deep bends in major river systems, particularly those with current breaks and adjacent shallow spawning areas. Catfish will move between deep holding areas and shallow spawning flats throughout June, creating opportunities for anglers who can locate both types of structure.
Miller recommends focusing on water movement as the key trigger for feeding activity. “These fish are just like crappie, if there’s no water movement, they’re just not going to eat,” he said.
The June catfish spawn represents one of the year’s most reliable fishing opportunities for anglers willing to target deep river structure and adapt their techniques to spawning behavior patterns.
