Best Water Temperatures for Catching Catfish (Easy Guide)

The temperature of the water determines everything a catfish does. There are specific water temperature ranges that will lead to better catfishing than others.

The best water temperature to catch catfish will be from 65-76°F. Moreso than water temperature, stability in water and air temperatures rather than dramatic fluctuations will lead to the most consistent catfishing.

Water Temperature (°F)	Fishing Quality
Below 40°	Catfish gather in deep holes in huge numbers. Location is key to excellent fishing.
41-50°	Catfish are still in deep holes, but less concentrated. Bite is less predictable than in winter.
51-60°	Catfish scatter out over deeper flats into medium-depth water. Fish can be hard to locate.
61-68°	Pre-spawn water temperatures cause catfish to add mass to recover from winter and fuel up for the spawn.
69-73°	Ideal spawning water temperatures. Catfish are tough to catch during spawn but post-spawn fishing is excellent.
Above 74°	Great fishing continues until fall chill or until water temperatures rise above 81 degrees.

Catfish may be caught in cold water, but the major spring bite requires water temperatures of 50°F or above. From there, the biting improves steadily until the spawn temperature reaches approximately 70°F degrees. During this time, a catfish’s metabolism speeds up, requiring them to consume more food just to survive, and much more to bulk up.

Simply put, the more metabolism in a fish’s body, the more they eat. The more they eat, the more prevalent and active they will be, making it easy for them to be caught.

In an ideal scenario, the water temperature would reach 50°F and then gradually climb over a few weeks, allowing them to feed consistently. It’s feeding time now that the weather has stabilized, and the catfish are in a feeding frenzy, chomping down on any fresh flesh they can find.

Keeping an eye on the weather and being ready for the bite when it comes may result in some of the greatest catfishing of the year.

Check out this link here to view my complete catfish fishing gear recommendation list, including rods, reels, baits, gear, etc. I have field tested a lot of catfish gear and these are my recommendations.

Catfish Fishing by Water Temperature

Below 40°F

Below 40°F, catfish are often lethargic and migrate to deeper waters and drop-off ledges for cover and protection. Bites often stop and become less prevalent. Fishing in temperatures below 40°F is based on finding catfish. They are often in holes and protected by layers of mud.

41-50°F

This temperature range is similar to below 40°F. Anything below 50°F will have catfish stunted in growth and slow to bite. When searching for catfish in this temperature range, use cut bait such as shad, bluegill, or chicken liver.

Anglers pursuing these powerful fish may need to rely significantly on the deeper locations they noted and documented throughout all their fishing trips during the warmer months.

51-60°F

Once temperatures hit 50°F, catfish become slightly more active. While they still remain in deep water for most of their feeding, they will be less lethargic and more agile. During the first spring warm front, when catfish have survived all winter, they will be out and searching for food.

61-68°F

Water temperatures just below 70°F is an interesting and one of the most ideal temperatures to catch big catfish. This is because catfish are feeding in preparation for their spawn. They are active and can be found in deep, mid-level, and shallower waters.

In this temperature range, catfish are more likely to bite than they are when temperatures are low.

69-73°F

As temperatures climb above 70°F, all species of catfish begin to spawn. Because male catfish consume relatively little while defending the nest, catfish anglers who fish during the spawn may observe a dramatic reduction in catch rates.

Fortunately, the height of the spawn will be gone in a few days. Because fish do not all spawn at the same time in a system, a segment of a river or lake may have pre-spawn, spawn, and post-spawn catfish.

The spawn is generally shorter if the weather is hot and water temperatures remain in the mid-70s. If the water cools, the catfish eggs do not develop as rapidly and the spawn lasts longer.

If water conditions are acceptable, some active feeders will always be available to catch, thus fishing success may not drop noticeably.

If poor fishing is observed and can not be attributed to other factors, the angler can wait a few days until the spawning peak has passed and male cats begin to eat more aggressively once again.

Above 74°F

When temperatures hit 74°F and above, catfish have their highest metabolism which leads to greater hunger and your most successful fishing of the year. Catfish will congregate around holes and structures.

The same rules apply as previously. If the water temperature is steady or increasing, the fish will be more active in eating at the heads of holes and around snags.

If the water temperature drops due to a front or whatever, the fish will migrate closer to the wood or to the center of the hole. In this instance, you may need to wait a bit longer to capture the finest fish.

This fishing barometer is perfect for the novice and serious angler. It will take an accurate reading of the current barometric conditions and tell you if the fishing conditions are poor, good, or great.

One tool that will tell you exact water temperatures and give you an accurate picture of the situation below the surface is this castable fishfinder by Deeper. I own myself and really like it. Check it out for yourself.

To learn what the best water temperature to catch all species of fish is, please check out this helpful guide I wrote.

Is Water Temperature a Big Factor in Catfishing?

Water temperature is one of the biggest factors in catching catfish. As the water temperature climbs over 50 degrees, the catfish metabolism increases and they more readily feed.

A catfish’s wintering hole will swell up with a ball of catfish if the air temperature is lower than the water. It is common for them to burrow themselves into the mud in order to get as far away from the cold as possible.

It is common for catfish to move out of the deepest pockets of their drinking holes on days when the air temperature is higher than the water temperature. As a result of these conditions, warmer water can be found nearer the surface of the water.

Seasonal Water Temperature Guide for Catfish

Winter

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. Catfish seek safety in deep water as the water temperature falls into the middle 50s and lower.

Ideal locations include creek/river channels, points that descend into deeper water, and dropoffs near humps.

During the colder months, catfish will also congregate. They will be grouped with other catfish in schools. This can have a significant impact on your catch rates. If you find a catfish, you will almost certainly find a huge bunch of them.

The best temperature for catching catfish in the winter is when the water just hits above 50°F. It can be done below 50 degrees, but you must be patient and, in turn, spend more time searching for each catch. When the water hits 50 catfish, they just begin to come out of their holes.

This is usually during the middle (or late afternoon) of sunny winter days, when the water has had all day to warm up.

Cold fronts and high/low-pressure systems, I believe, have an influence on a catfish’s bite. Set a goal of catching catfish before the cold front arrives. Approximately 24-48 hours before. Catfish appear to sense the shift in pressure and become more active and aggressive.

Spring

Spring is a good time to go catfishing, especially in the latter portion of May. As the water temperature rises later in April and May, they will become more active and feed more. In the spring, the optimum time of day to catch catfish is later in the afternoon until twilight.

In an ideal scenario, the water temperature would reach 50°F Fahrenheit and then gradually climb over a few weeks to keep them eating regularly. With some steady weather, it’s go time, and the catfish are in a feeding frenzy, chomping on any new flesh they can find.

Keeping an eye on the weather and being prepared for this bite when it occurs may result in some of the greatest catfishing of the year.

The best temperature for spring catfish fishing is when the water is around 60 degrees and rising. The catfish will already be out of their holes and frantically feeding.

When the water temperatures are rising, catfish will be found feeding around rocks and towards the bottom of the lake or river.

The best time of day to fish for catfish in the spring is late afternoon or midday when the sun has spent the day warming up the water.

While pike and walleye spawn in colder waters, catfish spawn in 70-74°F water temperatures, giving anglers a much larger window of opportunity before the spawn sets in.

Summer

Summer catfishing is usually excellent, especially right after they spawn. Catfish are among the last types of fish to spawn, and you may find all three species of catfish spawning from early to midsummer. Catfish begin to spawn when the temperatures are around 70-74°F.

Catching spawning catfish may be challenging, especially if you’re after blues or flatheads. Channel catfish, on the other hand, may be caught in large numbers during spawning times and provide some fast-paced excitement.

Flathead catfishing is also generally great prior to the spawning period, with some of the largest flatheads taken during this time.

Prior to spawning, catfish are very active, feeding and preying on food. Temperatures will be just hitting 70 degrees at this point and it is the best time to fish for catfish in the summer.

As the evenings get shorter and the days become hotter, many fishermen will begin to fish at night. Night fishing for catfish can be very lucrative, as temperatures cool down from the hot days and the catfish begin feeding. When temperatures get above 80, catfish usually retreat to the deepest sections of the water.

Fall

Fall can be a challenging time to find catfish but getting them to bite is easy. The fall turnover has already happened in most bodies of water by this time of year (late November), and catfish will abandon the comforts of the shallows and travel to deeper weed edges and holes.

Earlier in the fall, look for soft-bottomed places where the weed line ends in the mid-depths (7-15 feet). Catfish will congregate in this region in order to ambush baitfish that stray beyond the protection of weed cover.

The best temperature for catching catfish during the fall is when temperatures are right at the 50 degree mark. Temperatures vary in fall, as the beginning of fall is similar to summer. The end of fall, however, is almost like winter. Because of this, fall fishing is based on trial and error.

As winter comes, aim for deeper holes. But not too far. Catfish are rarely encountered at depths of more than 40-50 feet.

First, spend time riding and locating fish with your gadgets. Because fish aren’t moving much this time of year, it’s critical to set up where the fish are.

Second, you must be patient. Before moving sites, experiment with different bait sizes and trolling from different directions and depths.

The greater the concentration of baitfish in the region, the more probable the fish will be feeding. It takes time and perseverance to be a successful angler.

To learn the best barometric pressure for catfish, check out this article.

One piece of advice I always give to anglers is to maintain a journal of every trip, good or bad.

Does Air Temperature Impact Catfish Fishing?

The air temperature impacts catfish fishing as it affects the water temperature. Catfish will feed as long as the air temperature is somewhat steady, and if there is sufficient flow in the river, they will pattern similarly to spring.

The fish will be searching, but if there is a cold front that quickly reduces the temperature, they will relocate off the current but just close to it, just like they do in the spring.

Catfish prefer it when air and water temperatures are stable. When the temperatures change rapidly, such as in early spring and late fall, the catfish will not be as active. When the temperature remains stable, catfish will be active for longer periods and feed more frequently.

Best Air Temperature for Catfish

The best air temperature for catfish is right above 70 degrees. This will allow the water to sit at a little under 70 degrees and the catfish will be feeding heavily. It is best if air temperatures remain stable for multiple days at a time and don’t change frequently.

How Cold is Too Cold for Catfish Fishing?

When water temperatures dip below 50 degrees, catfish become lethargic and migrate to deeper waters and drop-off ledges for cover and protection. While they’ll continue to feed, fishing success will drop off.

Catfish will continue to bite, however, until temperatures drop below the 32-35°F mark. If temperatures drop much lower than that, catfish will either migrate to warmer waters or hit a period of hibernation where they become stagnant. I

wouldn’t recommend fishing for catfish when the water is below 40°F, because it will be incredibly challenging to catch anything.

How Hot is Too Hot for Catfish Fishing?

81 degrees Fahrenheit is the upper limit for good catfishing. When water temperatures become this warm, often in late July into August, catfish will retreat to the deepest parts of the water or migrate to colder waters where they can survive.

However, in rare circumstances, the catfish will be able to survive in greater temperatures, albeit for a short period of time. The less oxygen there is in the water as the temperature rises.

Similar to colder water temperatures, I do not recommend fishing for catfish when the temperature is above 80 degrees, as it will be nearly impossible.

Storms & Weather Changes

Tropical cyclones and hurricanes have a significant influence on fishing. Flooding of low-lying regions and wetlands has a substantial influence on the pH levels of coastal rivers after big tropical systems pour significant quantities of rain into rivers along the coast.

Because the water in these swamps and low-lying regions differs from that in our rivers and lakes, flushing them out produces an imbalance that can have a big influence on the fish downstream. This mingling of waterways can result in low dissolved oxygen levels and mass fish deaths.

In terms of fishing, floods in freshwater, at least initially when the water level rises, can result in excellent fishing. Freshwater fish appear to eat intensively and become more active as water levels rise.

Catfishers are aware that heavy rains and swollen rivers and streams might indicate an opportune time to be on the water hunting fish.

The disadvantage of significant flooding is that it might result in poor fishing since the water levels increase and remain high for days or weeks. Following the first feeding frenzy caused by increasing water, catfish seek cover to avoid the current. These catfish frequently become dormant and are very hard to capture.

For a complete breakdown of the best water temperature for carp fishing, check out this article. Click here to see a breakdown of the best weather for catfish.