The reservoir is best known for crappie fishing and holds the Crappie USA Tournament each year. However, it also has one of the largest populations of channel catfish in the state. Biologists say the Salamonie Reservoir produces one of the highest gill net catch rates in the state. They catch both channel and flathead catfish ranging in size from the young-of-the-year up to around 15 pounds.

Most channel catfish caught at Salamonie will average around 16 inches long and about 1 1/2 pounds. This is perfect "fiddler" size. Many other fish caught are much larger.

Flathead catfish are also present in the reservoir, but are not as abundant as channel catfish. There are some real trophies in there for the lucky anglers who find them. Biologists frequently sample flatheads up to 30 to 40 pounds while electroshocking.

Late summer will usually mean catfish will be in deeper water to escape the sun and heat. However, they will often move shallower to feed. Bottom-fishing is most productive at this time of year.

The entire lake is good for catfish, as they may be found from the dam all the way to the upper end. There is not a lot of cover in the shallows along the main lake; however, points and drops can be productive at times. The old river channel is still present and catfish are often caught along the edge of the channel and in holes and drops nearby.

Catfish will also suspend at certain times of the year to chase shad. Many anglers who fish for white bass with shad-imitating baits are often surprised by an occasional catfish at the end of the line. By using a slip-bobber, anglers can target these suspended catfish with live or cut bait, although most anglers do not pursue this option.

Salamonie Reservoir is very accessible for both boating and shore-bound anglers. There are five boat launches at the reservoir. Ample camping facilities are nearby with almost 500 campsites available ranging from primitive tent sites to modern sites with hookups for RVs.

LAKE SHAFER
It may be best known as the home of Indiana Beach, but Lake Shafer is also home to a fine catfish fishery. Formed by the Norway Dam on the Tippecanoe River, the lake offers around 1,291 surface acres at summer pool. Lake Shafer is just north of Monticello in White County.

Bob Robertson is the District 1 fisheries biologist who oversees Lake Shafer. He reports a good population of channel catfish in the lake as well as a few flathead catfish.

"We always catch a lot of channel catfish in the gill nets. We don't sample many flatheads, but they are there," he said.

Lake Shafer reaches a depth of around 40 feet near the dam. The lake has good water flow, which creates a pretty good flush rate. This keeps the lake well oxygenated all the way to the bottom. This is a good thing for the bottom-dwelling catfish.

Good catches of catfish are reported throughout the lake. Anglers catch a lot of catfish from the shore at Lake Shafer. However, anglers in boats have a better opportunity to access drops near the main channel.

Biologist Robertson said they also sample a lot of catfish in shallow water while electroshocking. By late summer, rising water temperature pushes most whiskerfish into deeper water. Coves off the main channel and near the dam are good choices during middle to late summer.

There is not a lot of natural structure in the lake except along the channel. Some of the embayments do still have some old stumpbeds remaining. Most fish are caught near the natural structure in the lake.