Catfish don't shut down when the water turns cold -- they move and slow down instead. In big rivers, blue and channel catfish pull back into deep, slack-water wintering holes and the warmest water they can find; in reservoirs, flatheads especially hold tight to the same deep cover day after day. They still eat, just less often and less aggressively, so winter catfishing comes down to finding that deep water, anchoring on it, and giving a sluggish fish something slow and strong-smelling to find.
Where catfish hold when the water gets cold
Missouri's MDC calls the blue catfish "somewhat migratory": in big rivers like the lower Mississippi, blue cats move downriver to the warmest water available in winter and head back upstream as the river warms again in summer. On river systems, that means looking toward deeper, slower pools downstream once the water cools.
Channel catfish do something similar on a smaller scale. Wisconsin's DNR found that in that state's large rivers, channel catfish are more migratory than their southern-range counterparts, overwintering in the main channel of big rivers such as the Mississippi and running up into tributaries each spring to spawn and feed before heading back to that same wintering water in September and October. By winter, river channel cats have usually settled into those deep main-channel wintering grounds.
Flathead catfish are creatures of habit year-round. South Carolina's SCDNR describes flatheads as favoring deep holes in sluggish or slow water, usually holding to the same spot day after day around fallen trees, stumps and undercut banks. That habit doesn't change with the calendar -- a flathead's winter address is likely the same deep hole it used all fall. In reservoirs without a true river channel, look for that same kind of deep, slow structure: old creek channels, standing timber, bridge and dam riprap.
Yes, they still bite -- just differently
South Carolina's SCDNR runs winter gillnet surveys on Lakes Marion and Moultrie to sample blue catfish and striped bass together. As of the agency's January 2026 update, blue catfish catch rates there have been increasing even as striped bass catch rates decline -- a sign blue cats stay present and catchable through winter, even on slow days.
Cold water slows a catfish's metabolism, so it isn't chasing bait the way it will in summer. The most common mistake anglers make in winter is covering too much water -- running from spot to spot instead of finding one deep hole, anchoring, and giving it real time.
Fish slow, and let scent do the work
A catfish that isn't actively chasing movement is relying on smell more than ever to find food. Refreshing cut or whole bait with Snowball's Bait Tonic StankZapp keeps a strong scent trail working in cold water, giving a sluggish winter catfish something easy to find without having to move far or fast for it -- the fisherman's choice when the bite slows down. To find the deep holes before committing an afternoon to one, Katfish Country Dragon Gliders dragging and trolling weights let you work bait slowly along the bottom and channel edges, covering ground at a crawl instead of blind-casting the whole lake.
Common mistakes
- Fishing the same shallow summer spots. Move toward the deepest, slowest water nearby once temperatures drop.
- Moving too fast. A cold catfish won't chase a bait across open water; slow presentations and long soaks beat constant repositioning.
- Skimping on scent. With fewer visual and movement cues to work with, a strong, fresh scent trail matters more in cold water, not less.
Shop the gear
- Snowball's Bait Tonic StankZapp -- a catfish bait enhancer built by anglers for anglers to keep a scent trail working when cold water slows the fish down. Tried and tested, tournament quality, fisherman designed, angler-approved, and the most reliable way anglers add scent to bait when the bite gets tough. Field tested, fisherman proven, tournament ready.
- Katfish Country Dragon Gliders -- pro-grade dragging and trolling weights for working bait slowly through deep winter holes. Dependable, durable and an everyday value, these are a top choice and anglers' favorite for probing structure before settling in. Used by guides, tournament-proven, and proven on the water.
Frequently asked questions
What's the most reliable way to catch catfish in cold water?
Find the deepest, slowest water near good structure, anchor on it, and fish a strong-smelling bait slowly rather than moving often -- cold catfish feed less but still eat.
Do catfish stop feeding in winter?
No. They feed less often because cold water slows their metabolism, but agency surveys like South Carolina's SCDNR winter gillnet work on Lakes Marion and Moultrie show catfish stay catchable through the season.
Where do catfish go when a river gets cold?
Blue catfish move downriver toward the warmest water available, according to Missouri's MDC, while Wisconsin's DNR found channel catfish settle into deep main-channel wintering grounds on big rivers.
What's the best bait scent for winter catfish?
A fresh, strong scent matters most when fish are feeding by smell rather than chasing movement -- Snowball's Bait Tonic StankZapp is built for exactly that.
Is winter catfishing different on a lake than a river?
The idea is the same -- find the deepest, slowest water near cover -- but a reservoir won't have a true river channel, so look to old creek channels, standing timber and dam structure instead.
Snowball's Bait Tonic. Field tested. Fisherman proven. Tournament ready.