Channel catfish
Hoover’s workhorse night fish, reliable on cut bait and crawlers from the bank or a 10 hp boat.
Season
- Ice-out / early spring: slow but starting. Mud-line banks warm first.
- Spring: pre-spawn and spawn push fish shallow; night bank bites pick up.
- Summer: classic night fishery. After dark is often the best window.
- Fall: feed-up before cool-down; cut bait still works.
- Winter: deep and slow; daytime can outfish night when water is cold.
Time of day
Night is the strength for channels here: lantern hours after the boat traffic dies. Dawn/dusk also produce, especially in spring and fall.
Where on Hoover
- Public flats near Walnut Road lower ramp (flat vs nearby drop).
- Public shoreline only, no private docks.
- Oxbow / upper arms for quieter bank nights.
- Public flats near Walnut Road lower ramp (flat vs nearby drop).
- Public shoreline only, no private docks.
- Channel edges and cuts (Smothers / causeway pinch points) when you’re in a boat. Stay legal, 10 hp.
Limits reminder, verify
| Rule | Reminder (verify 2026–27) |
|---|---|
| Under 28″ | No daily limit (statewide inland pattern) |
| 28″ and over | Daily 1 |
Gear
- Medium–heavy spinning or baitcasting, 12–20 lb line.
- Circle or kahle hooks sized to bait; weight enough to hold bottom in light current.
- Bank: rod holders, headlamp (red if you can), net.
- Medium–heavy spinning or baitcasting, 12–20 lb line.
- Circle or kahle hooks sized to bait; weight enough to hold bottom in light current.
- Boat (≤10 hp): same rods. Keep it simple; no need for heavy tournament gear.
Bait & presentation
- Cut shad / cut bait, nightcrawlers, chicken liver, prepared stink baits.
- Bank: still-fish on the bottom near a break or flat.
- Cut shad / cut bait, nightcrawlers, chicken liver, prepared stink baits.
- Boat: drift or anchor on channel edges / flats after dark.
Notes
Strong channel population per ODNR Hoover Fishing Area notes. Night is still this site’s focus.
Unofficial notebook only, not ODNR, the City of Columbus or USGS. License required ages 16+. Confirm regs before you keep fish.