WHITE RIVER CATFISH
The word from fisheries biologist Rhett Wisener is that there are decent numbers of channels and flatheads in the White River and they're probably going to be hungry this time of the year.

Check various depths and plumb them well, said Wisener. Look for eddies, snags, depressions and other current breaks that the fish can move into as ambush points. Look anywhere a big cat can hold up to let the current bring it a meal.

Channel cats are found throughout the upper and lower portions of the river, though the lower section in Marion County gets the most angler attention. The upper sections in Hamilton and Madison counties provide some catfish action, but they're not as productive as the lower reaches of the White.

There are some flatheads available, but the numbers are down because of a fish kill in 1999. According to Wisener, anglers are still experiencing a multi-species boom as the river continues to recover from the fish kill.

During the devastating fish kill a decade ago, the West Fork of the White River had a 43-mile stretch in which fish populations were completely wiped out. The kill ran from the Anderson Waste Water Treatment Plant to the Broad Ripple Impoundment, and a partial kill extended another 12 miles to affect the river all the way to the Lake Indy Dam. Over 4 million fish died and the polluter was eventually fined $14 million. Channel cats showed their resilience by making a spectacular comeback in the midst of the recovery and the fishing will be good this fall.

Notwithstanding the difficulties experienced on the river, the state-record flathead was caught on the East Fork near Bedford in 1966. The monster weighed in at 79 pounds and 8 ounces. That the river can grow big cats is undisputed.

The White River is a great place to enjoy a float trip. Beginning at Lawrenceport, the sandbars serve as feeding areas for hungry channels and the occasional whopper-sized flathead. The put-in point is at the SR 37 bridge in Lawrenceport. The U.S. Route 50/SR 37 access site is south of Bedford, and a paved ramp is available.

The Williams Dam area has some camping and excellent catfishing opportunities. From the Williams Dam downstream to Shoals a float trip is an all-day affair. Start south of the dam at the Williams Dam State Fishing Area on SR 450 at the paved ramp and campgrounds. It can be tough going because of the shallow water.

The Broad Ripple Dam and the 16th Street dam have access ramps where anglers can use larger boats.

The annual summer Catfish Festival in Shoals hosts an open tournament in which anglers make a good showing.

For additional information, contact the DNR by calling District 5 at (765) 647-3600, the White River Bait and Tackle Shop at (812) 388-7362 or District 7 at (812) 789-2724.

Additional information is available on the Division of Fish and Wildlife's Web site at: www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild.