Water Clarity for Day & Night Catfish Fishing (Full Guide)

Water clarity is pivotal in influencing catfish behavior and the strategies anglers should employ. This article will explore the nuances of different water conditions and how understanding them can enhance your catfish fishing success.

In clear water, catfish rely more on their vision to locate food. But in murky water, their strong sense of smell and taste becomes essential for locating meals.

Water Clarity	Best Catfish Baits	Best Bait Sizes
Clear	Live bait (small fish, crawfish)	2 to 4 inches
	Prepared baits (dough, punch)	Golf ball size or less
Stained (Moderate)	Cut bait (shad, herring, etc.)	3 to 6 inches
	Prepared baits (dough, punch)	Golf ball size
	Live bait (medium fish, crawfish)	3 to 5 inches
Muddy	Cut bait (shad, herring, etc.)	4 to 8 inches
	Stink baits (liver, cheese)	Golf ball size
	Large live baits	5 to 8 inches

Water Clarity & Catfish

Catfish are unique fish with some fascinating habits. Unlike other fish, catfish don’t rely mainly on their eyesight to find food. Instead, they have whisker-like barbels around their mouth, which they use like fingers to touch and taste things.

This makes them excellent hunters, especially in dark or cloudy waters. They’re also known to be more active during nighttime or in darker conditions, often hiding in shaded areas during the day and coming out to hunt when it’s dimmer.

In clear waters, catfish might use their vision more to look for food, but they can also be more wary because they’re easier to spot. Use baits that mimics the prey they’re used to seeing.

On the other hand, in murky waters, catfish lean heavily on their sense of touch and taste to locate food. In these conditions, using bait that has a strong scent can be more effective, as it appeals to their heightened sense of smell.

Understanding Water Clarity

Defining Water Clarity

Water clarity is essentially how clear the water looks. Can you see deep into the water or just below the surface? Anglers often use a “Secchi disk” to gauge this. It’s a disk that gets lowered into the water until you can’t see it anymore. The depth it reaches before disappearing indicates clarity.

For catfish, clearer water means they’re more cautious. Other animals can see them. In cloudier waters, they’re bolder but rely more on smell to locate food. Thus, the water’s clarity can dictate the bait choice and approach.

Catfish Sensory Abilities and Behavior

Catfish Eyesight

While catfish eyes might seem small, they serve a purpose. Catfish are adapted to see in varied water conditions. They are more cautious in clear waters since they are visible to predators. In murky waters, while they can see, it’s not their primary sense.

Tips for Anglers

Natural Colors for Clear Waters: Choose baits that blend with the surroundings in transparent waters. This approach reduces the chance of spooking the fish.
Movement Matters: Whether the water is clear or murky, baits that mimic the movement of natural prey can attract a catfish’s attention.

Sense of Feeling

Those whisker-like structures on a catfish are called barbels. They’re not just for show! Barbels are packed with taste buds and touch-sensitive cells. These barbels act like a roadmap in murky waters, helping catfish find food.

Tips for Anglers

Flavorful Baits are Best: Catfish use their barbels to taste potential food. Like chicken liver, baits with a distinct flavor can lure them in.
Fish Close to the Bottom: Catfish often graze the bottom with their barbels for food. Keeping your bait near the bottom might increase your chances.

Sense of Smell

A catfish’s sense of smell is incredible. This is another way they find food, especially in murky waters with limited visibility.

10 Great Tips for More Catfish

Scented Baits Win: Stink baits or other strongly scented baits can be irresistible to catfish. Their keen nose can detect these from a distance, drawing them to your hook.
Freshness Counts: Fresh baits produce more natural oils and scents. When possible, use fresh bait over frozen or old ones.
Moon Phases: Catfish are known to be more active during specific moon phases. The days leading up to a full moon can be especially productive, as the increased light during nighttime may encourage more hunting.
Barometric Pressure: Catfish tend to be more active during stable or rising barometric pressure. Before a front moves in, with dropping pressure, you may notice increased activity. Plan fishing trips around these conditions when possible.
Safety in Numbers: Fish in pairs or groups. Multiple baits in the water can mimic a school of fish, drawing in larger catfish looking for a bountiful meal.
Sound Attraction: In murkier waters, catfish rely more on their lateral lines to detect vibrations. Small bells or rattles added to rigs can make a difference, especially in low water visibility.
Experiment with Depth: Instead of just bottom fishing, suspend baits at different depths using balloon floats or similar devices. Sometimes, larger catfish patrol specific water columns rather than staying near the bottom.
Temperature Zones: Pay attention to temperature layers (thermoclines) in the water, especially in deep waters or during transitional seasons. Catfish might congregate in these zones where the water temperature is just right.
Freshen Up: Regularly replace or freshen up cut baits. The initial oils and blood from a fresh-cut bait disperse quickly. By updating your bait, you’re ensuring a consistent scent trail.
Silent Approach: Use kayaks or canoes to silently approach promising fishing spots, especially in clear water conditions. Motor noise can deter or spook wary catfish.
Contrast is Key: Using baits that contrast against the background in stained water. For instance, if the water has a brownish hue, a lighter-colored bait may stand out better, attracting more attention.
Blend Scents: Instead of relying on a single scent, experiment by mixing scents. For example, combining garlic and shad scent could be more enticing than alone. This unconventional blend might be the ticket to luring in bigger catfish.

I just wrote a comprehensive seasonal guide on how catfishing is impacted both day and night. I think you should check it out.

Daytime Fishing and Water Clarity

Water clarity plays a big role in your success when fishing for catfish during the day. The clarity of the water can change how catfish behave and where they decide to hang out.

Best Water Clarity for Day Fishing

Water clarity often refers to how deep you can see into the water. In very clear waters, you can see several feet down, while in murky waters, visibility might be just a few inches.

Catfish have evolved to live in different kinds of waters, and their behavior can change based on how clear the water is. In clearer waters during the day, catfish tend to be more cautious. This is because predators can see them more easily.

As a result, they might hide in deeper areas or near structures like logs or rocks. On the other hand, catfish are a bit bolder in murky waters because it’s harder for predators to spot them. They might roam more freely and come into shallower areas.

Tactics for Murky Daytime Waters

Use Smelly Baits: In murky waters, catfish rely more on their sense of smell. Using baits that give off a strong scent can attract them more effectively. Consider using baits like chicken liver, cut bait, or stink bait.
Make Some Noise: Catfish have a good sense of hearing. Baits that make noise, like struggling baitfish can help catfish zero in on your bait.
Fish Shallower Areas: Since catfish are more confident in murky waters, they might be closer to the shore or shallower spots. Don’t hesitate to fish in these areas during the day.

Tactics for Clear Daytime Waters

Go Deeper: In clear waters, catfish will likely stay in deeper areas to hide from predators. You might want to focus on deeper spots or areas with structures like logs, rocks, or underwater plants.
Use Natural-Colored Baits: Bright or unnatural colors might scare catfish away in clear waters. Using baits that mimic real prey, like worms or minnows, can be more effective.
Be Stealthy: Since the clear water, catfish can see you too. Move slowly and quietly when approaching fishing spots, and avoid casting shadows over the water.

Nighttime Fishing and Water Clarity

Fishing at night offers a unique experience. Catfish are more active, and the quiet surroundings can be calming. But, fishing in the dark also means that the water looks different. Here’s how water clarity at night can impact catfish fishing and some tips for success.

Night Behavior of Catfish

During the night, catfish are on the move. They come out to search for food. If the water is clear, they might feel more exposed to predators and be more cautious. In murkier waters, they’re bolder, venturing into shallower areas.

By understanding this, anglers can decide where to place their bait. In clearer waters, try deeper spots. In murkier conditions, shallower areas might yield more bites.

Adapting Techniques for Night Fishing

You might need to change your fishing tactics depending on how clear the water is. In clear waters, catfish rely more on their sight. Using bait that shines or reflects a bit can attract them. In murkier waters, catfish use their sense of smell and touch more. Here, baits that have a strong smell or create vibrations in the water work best.

My Test: Deciphering the Water Clarity Puzzle

Introduction: I fished five locations over the past six months (rivers and lakes) to see which baits worked best for each water clarity level.

Methodology:

Locations: Five of my go-to fishing spots in Ohio: Grand Lake St. Marys, Pymatuning Reservoir, Hoover Reservoir, Alum Creek Lake, and the Ohio River.
Duration: April 1 to September 30, 2023.
Sampling: Each location was visited weekly. I assessed water clarity visually, classifying it as clear (visibility >6 feet), stained (visibility 3-6 feet), or murky (visibility <3 feet).
Baits Used: Live shiners, cut shad, nightcrawlers, and my friend’s secret stink bait recipe.
Data Recorded: Number and size of catfish caught, bait used, time of day, water clarity, and any notable behavior.

Key Findings:

Murky Waters: Throughout 24 fishing sessions in murky conditions, I caught 157 catfish, averaging about 6.5 per trip. Stink bait was the top performer, accounting for 102 of those catches.
Stained Waters: In 20 stained water outings, I caught 113 catfish. The majority (58%) were during the twilight hours. Nightcrawlers led the bait preference, with 67 catfish caught.
Clear Waters: In 15 sessions, I landed 49 catfish in clear waters. Impressively, the average size was 15% larger than in stained or murky conditions. Live shiners proved to be the best bait, luring 32 of the 49 catfish.

Personal Highlight:

One evening in the Ohio River, I hooked a mammoth 42-pound flathead catfish in clear waters using a live shiner.

Strategy Based on Water Clarity: Targeting Bigger Catfish

Water Clarity: Clear

Bait Choice: Opt for smaller live fish like minnows or shad that naturally inhabit the water body.
Tactic: Stealth is key. Use light, clear fishing lines and avoid sudden movements.
Spot: Search for deep pockets, crevices, or underwater caves where big catfish may rest.
Unique Tip: Use a slip bobber rig to present your bait at varying depths, exploring where the big ones might be hiding.

Water Clarity: Stained (Moderate)

Bait Choice: Nightcrawlers or live bluegills can be effective due to their movement and scent.
Tactic: Place baits near transition zones where there’s a change in water depth or where stained water meets clearer patches.
Spot: Focus on areas with prominent underwater structures, like boulders or fallen logs, which might serve as hiding spots or hunting grounds.
Unique Tip: Enhance your bait’s appeal by adding garlic scent or other attractants to make it more detectable to catfish.

Water Clarity: Murky

Bait Choice: Cut bait or chunks of oily fish like herring, given their strong scent, which spreads in the water.
Tactic: Rely on scent trails. Ensure fresh cuts on your bait to release more scent.
Spot: Look for areas with a water current, as scent disperses effectively, attracting catfish from a distance.
Unique Tip: Use glow-in-the-dark beads or floats on your rig. While this isn’t a bait, the faint glow can attract curious catfish in very murky waters.

Impact of Seasonality on Water Clarity

Water clarity changes with each season. For anglers, understanding these shifts can help in catching more catfish. Let’s dive into how each season affects the water and what it means for your fishing trips.

Spring and Rain Runoffs

In spring, the snow from winter melts, and there’s often more rain. This extra water runs into rivers and lakes, bringing dirt and other things. This is called runoff. Runoffs make the water murky.

This means fish might be closer to the surface than usual for catfish anglers. Using bait that makes noise or has a strong smell can help attract catfish in these conditions.

Summer Algal Blooms

When the weather gets hot in summer, tiny green plants called algae grow fast in the water. This rapid growth is called an algal bloom. Algal blooms can make water look greenish and less clear.

This might make catfish rely more on their sense of smell and taste to find food. Using bait with a strong scent can increase your chances of catching fish during this time.

Fall Turnover

In the fall, something interesting happens in deeper waters called turnover. The cooler water at the surface goes down, and the warmer water from below rises. This mixes up the water and can make it less clear.

For anglers, it’s good to know that catfish might move to different places during turnover. It’s a great time to explore new fishing spots and see where the fish are.

Winter Considerations

During winter, water clarity often improves because there’s less runoff and fewer algal blooms. However, the colder temperatures can make catfish less active. They might stay in deeper waters to stay warm. When fishing in winter, patience is key. Try fishing in deeper spots and waiting longer to give catfish time to find your bait.

Tools and Gear Adjustments for Water Clarity

Choosing the Right Bait

The clarity of the water should influence the bait you use:

Clear Water: Catfish rely more on their eyesight in conditions where the water is transparent. Opt for bait that resembles natural prey, like small live fish. Also, since catfish can see better, using more natural-colored lures that blend with the surroundings is a good idea.
Murky Water: When the water is clouded, catfish depend on their sense of smell and taste. Scented baits, such as cut shad or stink baits, are excellent choices. They release a strong odor that catfish can detect, even in low visibility conditions.

Using Electronic Equipment

Electronics, like fish finders, can be a game-changer when fishing for catfish, especially when water clarity is tricky:

Clear Water: In transparent waters, fish finders can help you spot catfish congregating in particular areas or following certain paths. You can better position your bait in places where catfish are most likely to see it.
Murky Water: These devices become even more crucial in conditions with reduced visibility. They can show you where catfish are located when your eyes can’t. By relying on the sonar technology in these devices, you can detect catfish movements and find out where they’re most active.