What are the Different Types of Fishing? (with pictures) What are the Different Types of Fishing? Originally Written By: Shannon Kietzman Revised By: Rachel Catherine Allen Edited By: Niki Foster Last Modified Date: 12 December 2016 Copyright Protected: These 10 animal facts will amaze you There are many different types of fishing, ranging from angling to electrofishing. Sometimes, it is categorized by the type of animal being caught — for instance, fishing shrimp is called shrimping, and catching frogs with a tined spear is called gigging. This practice can also be categorized by the purpose of the fisherman , the place where the fish are caught, or the equipment used. Purpose There are three main purpose-based categories of fishing: commercial, recreational, and sport. The commercial type is done for a living, and is considered to be one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. Another type is recreational, which is done for fun, usually on a small scale. A variation on this is catch and release fishing, in which fishermen catch the fish for fun, then remove the hook and release them afterwards. Almost anyone can fish recreationally, though different regions do require licensing.

A variation of recreational fishing is sport fishing, in which fisherman compete to catch specific types of fish or fish of specific weights. Location Fishing can also be categorized by the place where the fish are caught. When categorized in this way, there are two broad categories: marine and freshwater. Common type of marine fishing include deep sea, surfcasting, and netting. Common freshwater types include angling and trapping. Equipment Another way to categorize the different types of fishing is by the equipment used. Hands Only Many traditional types of fishing are done with no equipment at all, besides a person's hands. This is often called hand fishing, and is most commonly done to catch fish in streams. A few variations on this are noodling, which is used specifically to catch catfish , and tickling, in which a person rubs a fish's belly to put it into a stupor, and then grabs it out of the water. Other types are used on animals other than fish — for instance, some people dive underwater to pick up sea creatures, particularly oysters, lobsters, and abalone . Handheld Equipment The most common type of fishing done with handheld equipment is angling, in which a person uses a rod with a line attached to hook fish.

The fisher attempts to get the fish to bite the hook by placing lures near the hook or by placing live bait on the hook. A variation of this is fly fishing , in which a special rod and line are used. Other types of hand fishing include kite fishing, in which a baited line is attached to a kite; and poke poling, in which people take a pole with a line attached to it and poke it under rocks around the shore to try to hook animals underneath the rocks. There is also ice fishing, which is done through a hole in ice, and trolling, in which a person draws a lure through the water in order to attract fish. Another method is surfcasting, in which a person stands on the beach and casts a baited line into the ocean. Nets and Traps Different types of netting include hand netting, trawling, tangle netting, and cast netting. Trawling, in which a large net is thrown off of the back of a boat and dragged along the bottom of the ocean or through the water, is more often done by large scale fishers. This method is often controversial because of the way it can damage the ocean floor.

There are also a variety of fish trap designs, ranging from something as simple as a plastic bottle with the top cut off, inverted, and placed back in the bottom half to baskets with funnel-shaped openings leading into them. Different types of traps for catching specific types of animals, including crab traps, lobster traps, and eel traps. Animals Some fishers use animals to help the land fish or bring in nets, though this practice is not very widespread and is usually done on a small scale. One of the most famous ways of doing this is with a cormorant, a type of bird. To do this, a person puts a collar around a cormorant's neck, and then it dive into the water to catch fish. Since it can't swallow the fish because of the collar, the fisher can then remove the fish from its mouth and throat. Some people also train dogs to help drag in nets. In some areas, dolphins also round up fish for fishers to net, and then eat those that escape. Projectiles People also commonly use projectiles like arrows or spears to catch fish.

Though ancient spears were powered by hand, but modern fishers often use spear guns to help power the spear, making it move more quickly and work more efficiently. Both types can be done in fresh or salt water. Other Types There are many other techniques, including jigging, in which a fisher catches squid by repeatedly raising and lowering a hook on a line; electrofishing, in which electricity is sent through the water to stun the fish so they can be caught, and purse seining, in which a large net is cast in the water and then gradually drawn together at the top, like a drawstring purse. Though it is discouraged and often illegal, some fishers dump bleach or poison in the water to kill or stun fish, which makes them easy to collect. Another illegal technique is blast fishing, which is the use of explosives to kill fish. Ad world record flathead catfish noodling world record catfish kerr Noodling for catfish is a method of. catching them using bare hands. The practice is What Is the World Record. for Not Blinking? Record Flathead Catfish. noodling, grabbling, hogging, or tickling, in these states.

The inferred Notes: (1) Blue and flathead catfish are considered both sport fish and commercial species State Record. Blue Catfish in. being certified as the new world record blue Jun 28, 2012. He and his team wrangled a biggest-ever. flathead female that weighed 70 46 pounds Original Print Headline: Okie noodlers grab a record Minnesota's six biggest fish are. the lake sturgeon, flathead catfish, World record: 142 pounds, 8 ounces snagged in the Missouri River, Montana, 1973. People in some states catch large flathead catfish by a technique called noodling It is a world in which grown men catch catfish with their bare hands. Noodling for Flatheads and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Bilger records the eccentric and sometimes downright bizarre behavior he Catfish Noodling - Discover St. Clair Catfish Noodling Stephan Goin (left) and Brandon Roe nab a big one on Logan Martin. Noodling: noun 1. Fishing for catfish using only bare hands, practiced primarily in the southern United States.

The noodler places his hand inside a discovered catfish hole. — Wikipedia 2. A form of fishing in which someone runs into a lake and searches for holes on the bottom with his foot. Then he inserts his finger into the hole and lets something bite it. Hopefully, it’s a catfish. — Urban Dictionary By Loyd McIntosh Photos by Jerry Martin The following activities are illegal or prohibited in the State of Alabama: Bear wrestling matches, to chain an alligator to a fire hydrant, to wear a fake moustache that causes laughter in church, and to be blindfolded while operating a vehicle. Those illustrations may be a bit far-fetched, but the overall point is adventure, and real endorphin-creating, adrenaline-pumping adventure can be hard to find — at least the kind of fun that doesn’t land you in the Graybar Hotel or get your face plastered on one of those mugshot magazines you see on convenience store counters. For those looking for a good time that will get the blood flowing and, literally, get you in touch with nature, look no further than noodling, an outdoor water sport gaining in popularity among young men throughout the area.

Noodling, sometimes referred to as grabbling, is a type of fishing that eschews rod, reel and worms in favor of the bare hands. From late-May through early-July, noodlers make their way to lakes, ponds and streams around St. Clair County. Mostly young men, these gonzo outdoorsmen look for holes near or in the banks, preferably under a dock or a boat ramp, where large catfish may be hiding. Once an appropriate spot is found, a noodler will leap over the side of their boat and into the murky water. After a couple of tense minutes as God only knows what takes place under the water’s surface, the noodler emerges, one arm wrapped around the flapping catfish, the other inside the mouth of the catfish. And thus you have an emerging adventure sport that is growing in popularity on lakes like Logan Martin and Neely Henry. “I’ve been dong this every summer since I was 14 or 15 years old and I love it,” says 19-year-old Cropwell native, Stephan Goin. “There is a just a rush you get when you catch that fish that I can’t explain.

It’s just a lot of fun.” Goin, an aspiring competitive angler, was introduced to noodling by a friend while out fishing on a hot summer day, one of those days when the high temperatures makes sitting in a boat with no shade unbearable. “We had been out there for a while and he said to me, ‘Have you ever been noodling?’ I said ‘noodling? What’s that?’ He went through the process and taught me how to land a fish, everything I needed to know,” Goin says. After identifying a smaller hole and learning the basics, it was time for his initiation. Goin jumped in the water and noodled for his first catfish. The first few moments were tense and alarming, but, before long he was hooked. “I felt something brush my hand then it hit me and scared me a little. It hit me so hard with this blunt force. I thought ‘I’ve go to do this’ and I pulled him out eventually,” Goin says. “I remember telling my mom and dad about it and if they had ever heard of noodling.

It was like telling your parents you were going to buy a motorcycle.” Brothers Stephan (left) and Morgan Goin on Logan Martin Lake His first catch was a 15-pound catfish, a dwarf compared to the monsters he and other noodlers catch now. Goin says he caught a 50-pounder while noodling in Logan Martin Lake and knows of a 70-pounder caught by some others, also in Logan Martin. With monsters like these and other creatures lurking in the water, not to mention the drowning dangers inherent in the sport, noodling can be a wee bit hazardous. “It can be kind of dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. I’ve heard of people drowning because they’ve followed a catfish into a hole that’s too small to get it out of and can’t get back to the surface,” Goin says. “Really what you have to watch out for are snakes, beavers and snapping turtles.” Noodlers also need to look for angry homeowners who may not want them digging around their boat ramps or those who think they’re up to no good. Goin says it’s also not uncommon to encounter a marine policeman or a game and fish warden while chasing catfish on the banks of Logan Martin.

“I’ve never gotten in trouble. I always have my fishing license on me and that’s always seemed to answer any questions when we get stopped,” Goin says. “I remember one old guy just started cussing up a storm at us one day and called the Riverside Police on us,” Goin says. “They handled it, and after it was all over he said ‘God bless y’all.’ How do you like that? He cussed me up and down and then asked God to bless me.” For many, noodling is still a mystery and, of course, controversial. Young men get the police called on them for far less than going underwater and emerging with a 35-pound catfish in their arms. And, at the moment, noodling isn’t legal everywhere in the United States. Texas only legalized noodling in May of this year. So, the big question is what does the law in Alabama say? “It’s completely legal but you must have a game permit, and you’re limited to one fish over 34 inches long per person,” says Jerry Fincher, a conservation enforcement officer with the Alabama Department of Conservation Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries and, himself a fellow noodler.

Fincher says noodlers who get crossways with the law haven’t sought the blessings of the homeowner before jumping in the water. “You have to get permission from the homeowner before you can noodle around their docks or boat ramps. We ask for permission and if he says ‘no,’ then we’ll go on to someplace else,” Fincher says. Fincher says many homeowners believe that noodlers cause problems to the foundations supporting boat ramps and docks and, therefore, don’t want them around. However, he says noodlers actually eliminate the problem actually caused by the fish which burrow holes on the bank to lay their eggs. Still, he says, if and when permission is granted, remember to be respectful and help give this budding sport a good name. “Don’t use any profanity, clean up after yourself and just be a responsible citizen,” he says. “It’s a growing sport and a lot of fun. It’s a lot more popular now than it used to be.” Goin would like to make the sport even more popular in the future. He has introduced the sport to professional B.A.S.S. anglers, football players and local adventure seekers and envisions a day where noodling tournaments and organized events are regular occurrences.

“I’ll take anyone out who wants to learn about it,” Goin says. “I don’t charge anyone. It’s just for the fun of it.” For more on Logan Martin Lake, check out loganmartinlakelife.com Noodling for Catfish Noodling for Catfish Contact Us "Noodling has been around for a long time. It started when fishermen started noticing that big catfish don’t swim around much, but live in deep holes or under a lot of cover. The art of noodling has been passed down from generation to generation, but only in the past fifteen years has been considered a serious sport." Most noodlers do not go at it alone. There is a real risk of drowning if you stick your arm in a big one’s mouth. Catfish caught by noodling can weigh up to around sixty pounds. The catfish latches on and tries to get away. Noodlers report not being able to get their arm or hand out and end up in a struggle with the fish to get back to the surface. This is why some noodlers wear scuba gear when they dive. Noodlers generally have a spotter at the surface when they go down for a catfish.

The spotter will help them out of the water, help secure the fish and help retrieve the hand. Noodling is easiest in water that is shallow or at least not over your head. Spring and summer are the best times to find catfish in their nests. They spawn when the water gets up to around 70 degrees or higher. Once they lay their eggs, they do not often leave their nests. Noodlers will generally test a hole before they stick their hand in it. They will prod with a stick to figure out if it is a catfish in there, or something else, like a turtle or a snake. If it is a catfish, they will sometimes create a barricade around the hole, lessening the fish’s chance of escape. They will use logs, rocks or other people to stand close, trapping the fish in the desired area. Catfish usually bite to defend their nests. This makes noodling a little easier. Sometimes they will just nip a finger and you will need to try to cram in your hand to grab it behind the gills. Be prepared, because catfish do have teeth. They also will spin once they have latched on.

The teeth are small, but they can draw blood and break through the skin. Some noodlers use gloves, but most see gloves, small hooks or using scuba equipment as cheating. If you want to improve your noodling success, you can create a habitat where big catfish will want to spawn. Fish attractors, such as Honey Hole Trees or Shrubs, are very useful. They create an area where catfish feel safe. They are inclined to hunt and spawn around this type of cover, increasing the population of catfish and increasing the size of the catfish. Natural cover can be more dangerous for noodlers because of the constant threat of snags. Check with your state before you go noodling, because it is illegal in some areas. Whether you find a hot bed of nests or use fish attractors to lure in the big guys, you’re sure to have a great time noodling with your friends. Author: Brad Metzler. Brad Metzler is the owner of Honey Hole Tree Inc., an industry leader in the production and sale of fish attractors like Honey Hole Trees and Turtle Traps. Honey Hole Tree Inc.

also consists of Lake and Pond Management Professionals that are dedicated to finding the most economical solutions and strategies for your fish attractant and stocking needs. Catfish Noodling - Bare Handed Fishing - Grabbling Games Catfish Noodling For Giant Catfish Have you ever been catfish noodling? Or just wanting to understand what the hype is about with this crazy "sport"? Discover and learn how to experience this adrenaline rush handfishing technique to catch some huge catfish. You may have seen television newscasts or previews advertising this unique method of freshwater fishing for catfish... You know the ones,... the "Girls Gone Grabblin'" DVD's. Or you may have even watched the episode of Dirty Jobs on Discovery Channel. Or you may know people who actually participate in the sport. Better yet, are you a catfish grabbler?... Attention Hand Fishing Guides: Submit you business and service information to our free Noodling For Catfish Guides & Services directory. About Noodling For Catfish Catfish noodling has been going on for quite a long time. As a matter of fact, noodling tournaments are held which have been running since the 1990's.

Festivals take place surrounding the tournaments where thousands of people show up to celebrate the events. The festivals last throughout the day, which includes live entertainment, beverages, and food such as fried catfish, and catfish cook-off contests. What Is Catfish Noodling? What is noodling for catfish? Basically, it's fishing for catfish with your bare hands. No rod and reel, no fishing line, and no hooks. Just you and the catfish. Mono y mono. You, your arm, or your hands rather, are the bait. Species Of Catfish Flathead catfish are the most common targeted species taken, and sometimes bluecats are caught as well. 20-30 pounders are often caught handfisting, with many also ranging from 40-50 pounds, and occasionally some in the 60 pound weight class. Best Times And Locations For Noodling The best times to go noodling for catfish are during the spawning season in the spring. Big mature male catfish will protect the nests from which the females have deposited their eggs into.

The key locations will usually be in hollowed out trees, hollowed rocks, under old boat ramps, types of structure and secluded areas where the catfish feel safe and secure. These nested areas will most often be in shallower, murky, muddy water. How To Noodle For Catfish After you have located the catfish, simply wiggle your hand around the nest and wait. The catfish will become irritated and attack your hand. They will clamp down on your hand and sometimes actually attempt to swallow your arm. Latch onto them tight because they will try to roll and thrash around. THE Beautiful Angie Fox Noodling Giant Catfish Their power and strength is often surprising to many amateurs of the sport. Once you have a hold on the catfish, your buddy can help pull you and the fish to safely land it. That's catfish noodling! Sound exciting? Pros And Cons Of Noodling For Catfish Catfish noodling is considered to be dangerous. People have drowned, lost fingers, and many suffer deep lacerations entangling with these beasts. Therefore, it's important to wear gloves and other protective clothing.

Some people will even tie themselves off with ropes to help ensure that they don't get stuck and submerged under water with a strong heavyweight monster sized catfish. Regardless, it would be wise to have a fishing buddy along with you as a spotter. There are other possible dangers to be aware of as well. People have been known to come in contact with lovely creatures like alligators, snapping turtles, muskrats, beavers and snakes. Imagine sticking your hand in a catfish hole and getting bit by a snapping turtle in the hand, a snake wraps around your neck, and an alligator pulls you under by the leg. Noodling for catfish isn't for wimps and sissies! Fishing buddies will sometimes poke fun at each other to help encourage another and provide confidence to get-r-done. There are many hard core women that absolutely thrive on the adrenaline rush of handfishing for catfish. Are you bold enough for the heart pumping challenge? Check Out This Noodling Video Regulations Of Handfishing Since handfishing for catfish isn't legal in every region, be sure to check the laws and fishing regulations with your local Fish and Game Department.

Some die hard anglers practice the sport of catfish noodling while avoiding the authorities as they fight and wait for legalization. Have a look below to see what Amazon has available for sale. You should most likely find those Girls Gone Grabblin' videos and the Okie Noodling movies on DVD, along with books, t-shirts, hats, decals, novelty items, and whatever else. Got Cats? Fish Catches Man In Florida (VIDEO) | The Huffington Post Fish Catches Man In Florida (VIDEO) 01/14/2013 10:18 am ET 1.2k Be careful what you fish for. An angler in Florida nearly became the day's catch when he dangled his arm at the edge of a jetty. Footage posted to YouTube shows a fisherman -- identified as Ryan Reynolds -- struggling to free the better part of his arm from the clamped jaws of an over-zealous tarpon, The Sun reports. The fish is eventually pried off and released. The video is somewhat similar to the noodling YouTube clips that have surfaced from the depths of the Internet. In the clips, fishermen try, often with great success, to catch giant catfish using their hands.

But while noodlers are expecting to get their hands swallowed by their prey, Reynolds seems surprised a fish contemplated devouring him. He's just lucky the fish thought better of it. Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Fishing Regulations Flathead catfish harvest restrictions removed. BARK CAMP CREEK Whitley County All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 must be immediately released and only artificial baits shall be used during this period. BARKLEY, KENTUCKY LAKES Crappie: 10-inch minimum size limit, 20 fish daily creel limit. Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit Sauger: 14-inch minimum size limit. BARKLEY TAILWATER – See Cumberland River BARREN RIVER upstream of Barren River Lake; downstream of the lake to Lock and Dam 1 and all tributaries Walleye: 2 fish daily creel limit; 18- to 26-inch protective slot limit. All walleye caught from 18 to 26 inches long must be immediately released. BARREN RIVER LAKE The boundaries of Barren River Lake are from the dam upstream to the Hwy.

100 bridge, Long Creek to the Hwy. 100 bridge, Beaver Creek to the Hwy. 1297 bridge, Skaggs Creek to the Matthews Mill Road bridge and Peter Creek to the Peter Creek Road bridge. Crappie: 9-inch minimum size limit Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit except 1 fish in the daily creel limit or 2 in the possession limit may be less than 15 inches long. Walleye: 2 fish daily creel limit; 18- to 26-inch protective slot limit. All walleye caught from 18 to 26 inches long must be immediately released. BEAVER CREEK Wayne County All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 in the section of Beaver Creek from the Hwy. 90 bridge upstream to the Hwy. 200 bridge must be immediately released. Only artificial baits shall be used during this period. BEAVER LAKE Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit.

Channel Catfish: 12-inch minimum size limit BERT COMBS LAKE Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited. BIG BONE CREEK Boone County All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 must be immediately released and only artificial baits shall be used during this period. BOLTZ LAKE Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited Channel Catfish: 12-inch minimum size limit. BRIGGS LAKE Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited. BUCKHORN LAKE Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit. Muskellunge: 36-inch minimum size limit. Crappie: 9-inch minimum size limit BULLOCK PEN LAKE Channel Catfish: 12-inch minimum size limit. CANE CREEK Laurel County All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 must be immediately released and only artificial baits shall be used during this period. CARNICO LAKE Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit. CARPENTER LAKE Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited.

CARR CREEK LAKE Crappie: 9-inch minimum size limit. Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit CARTER CAVES STATE PARK LAKE (also called Smokey Valley Lake) Fishing during daylight hours only. Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited. Largemouth Bass: 12- to 15-inch protective slot limit. All largemouth bass caught between 12 and 15 inches in length must be immediately released; 6 fish daily creel limit, only 1 fish may be longer than 15 inches. CASEY CREEK Trigg County All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 must be immediately released and only artificial baits shall be used during this period. CAVE RUN LAKE Gigging and snagging prohibited in the main lake and all tributaries up to the first riffle. The location of the first riffle may change depending on water levels. Largemouth Bass: 13 to 16-inch protective slot limit. All largemouth bass between 13 and 16 inches in length must be released immediately. Smallmouth Bass: 18-inch minimum size limit.

Muskellunge: 36-inch minimum size limit. CEDAR CREEK LAKE Shad as bait restriction removed. Largemouth Bass: 20-inch minimum size limit, 1 fish daily creel limit. Channel Catfish: 12-inch minimum size limit. CHIMNEY TOP CREEK Wolfe County A 16-inch minimum size limit and 1 fish daily creel limit for brown trout and only artificial baits may be used. CLEAR CREEK Bell County All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 shall be immediately released and only artificial baits may be used during this period. CORINTH LAKE Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited. Channel Catfish: No daily creel limit, 12-inch minimum size limit. CUMBERLAND GAP NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK (301 KAR 1:035) Special fishing regulations are in effect on Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. For complete fishing information on this area contact: Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, P.O. Box 1848, Middlesboro, KY 40965, phone (606) 248-2817.

CUMBERLAND RIVER upstream from Cumberland Falls and all tributaries: Walleye: 2 fish daily creel limit; 18- to 26-inch protective slot limit. All walleye caught from 18 to 26 inches long must be immediately released. CUMBERLAND RIVER from Wolf Creek Dam to the Tennessee state line All licensed anglers must possess a trout permit on this portion of Cumberland River. This includes Hatchery Creek and all tributaries up to the first riffle. Anglers may not attract or chum trout with bait, corn or other attractants designed to draw numbers of trout to a specific area. This includes all tributaries up to the first riffle and in Hatchery Creek. For new regulations on Hatchery Creek, refer to the Hatchery Creek section. Brown Trout: 20-inch minimum size limit, 1 fish daily creel limit, also applies to all tributary streams. Rainbow Trout: 15 to 20-inch protective slot limit. All trout caught between 15 and 20 inches in length must be immediately released. Five fish daily limit, only one rainbow trout may be longer than 20 inches.

Also applies to all tributary streams. Brook Trout: 1 fish daily creel limit with a 15-inch minimum size limit. Also applies to all tributary streams. CUMBERLAND RIVER from Lake Barkley Dam downstream to confluence with Ohio River Gigging and snagging only permitted downstream of U.S. 62 bridge with a daily creel limit of 8 fish. Harvesting of sportfish by snagging is prohibited. All snagged or gigged rough fish including paddlefish, with the exception of shad, herring or Asian carp, shall be taken into possession and not be culled. Snagged or gigged fish must not be disposed of on the bank. Disposing of fish on the bank is littering and subject to a fine. Snagged paddlefish or their roe cannot be sold. Sauger: 14-inch minimum size limit. DALE HOLLOW LAKE Crappie: 10-inch minimum size limit, 15 fish daily creel limit. Black Bass creel: includes largemouth, smallmouth and Kentucky (spotted) bass - 5 fish daily creel limit on black bass singly or combined, only two of which may be smallmouth bass.

Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit. Smallmouth Bass: 16 to 21-inch protective slot limit. One fish over 21 inches and one fish under 16 inches may be kept daily. Sauger: 14-inch minimum size limit, 10 fish daily creel limit. Rainbow and Brown Trout: 7-fish aggregate daily creel limit. Walleye: 16-inch minimum size limit, 5 fish daily creel limit. DEWEY LAKE Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit. Blue and Channel Catfish: 15 fish daily creel limit, only 1 fish may be longer than 25 inches. Musekellunge: 36-inch minimum size limit. DIX RIVER from Herrington Lake Dam downstream for two miles Fishing with artificial lures or flies only. DOE RUN LAKE Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited. Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit, 3 fish daily creel limit. Channel Catfish: Four fish daily creel limit, no minimum size limit.

DOG FORK Wolfe County Only artificial baits with a single hook shall be used. Brook Trout must be immediately released. EAST FORK INDIAN CREEK Menifee County All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 shall be immediately released and only artificial bait shall be used during this period. ELKHORN CREEK in Franklin County from confluence of North and South forks downstream to Kentucky River: Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 12 to 16-inch protective slot limit. Largemouth and smallmouth bass caught between 12 and 16 inches in length must be immediately released. Daily limit of 6 may include no more than 2 fish longer than 16 inches. For regulatory purposes, the boundary of Elkhorn Creek is a permanent marker just below the first riffle upstream from its confluence with the Kentucky River. ELK SPRING CREEK Wayne County All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 must be immediately released and only artificial baits shall be used during this period. ELMER DAVIS LAKE Owen County Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited.

Largemouth Bass: 12 to 15-inch protective slot limit. All largemouth bass between 12 and 15 inches in length must be released immediately. Channel Catfish: 12-inch minimum size limit. FAGAN BRANCH LAKE (also called Lebanon City Lake) Marion County Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 12 to 15-inch protective slot limit. All largemouth and smallmouth bass between 12 and 15 inches in length must be released immediately. FISHTRAP LAKE Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit. Crappie: 9-inch minimum size limit. Blue and Channel Catfish: 15 fish daily creel limit, only 1 fish in the daily creel limit may be longer than 25 inches. Walleye: 2 fish daily creel limit; 18- to 26-inch protective slot limit. All walleye caught from 18 to 26 inches long must be immediately released. FLOYD'S FORK from U.S. 60 bridge downstream to U.S.

150 bridge Jefferson County Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit, 1 fish daily creel limit. Rainbow Trout: All trout caught from Oct. 1 through Mar. 31 must be immediately released. GENERAL BUTLER STATE PARK LAKE Carroll County Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited. Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit, 3 fish daily creel limit. Channel Catfish: 4 fish daily creel limit, no minimum size limit. GOLDEN POND (Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area) Channel Catfish: 15-inch minimum size limit, 5 fish daily creel limit. GRAYSON LAKE Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit. GREENBO LAKE Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited. Bluegill and other Sunfish: 15 fish daily creel limit. Areas marked by signage and buoys near the Jesse Stuart Lodge are periodically closed to fishing. GREEN RIVER LAKE Crappie: 9-inch minimum size limit. Muskellunge: 36-inch minimum size limit.

GUIST CREEK LAKE Channel Catfish: 12-inch minimum size limit. HATCHERY CREEK Brook, Rainbow and Brown Trout: Upper section: As designated by signs, 5 trout aggregate daily creel limit. Lower section: Catch and release only for all trout in newly constructed lower section. Only artificial baits may be used. The lower boundary of Hatchery Creek is delineated as a straight line between opposite points where Hatchery Creek meets the main stem of the Cumberland River. Tentative opening late April, 2016. KENTUCKY, BARKLEY LAKES (and their connecting canal) Crappie: 10-inch minimum size limit, 20 fish daily creel limit. Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit. Sauger: 14-inch minimum size limit.

KENTUCKY LAKE TAILWATER – see Tennessee River KENTUCKY RIVER, upstream of Lock and Dam 14, the North Fork downstream of Carr Creek Lake along with the Middle and South Forks and all tributaries Walleye: 2 fish daily creel limit, an 18- to 26-inch protective slot limit. All walleye caught from 18 to 26 inches long must be immediately released. KENTUCKY RIVER WMA BOONE TRACT, Henry County Benjy Kinman Lake: Crappie and Sunfish: 15 fish daily creel limit for each species. Catfish: 4 fish daily creel limit. Trolling motor only. Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit; 1 fish daily creel limit. Crappie and Sunfish: 15 fish daily creel limit for each species. Catfish: 4 fish daily creel limit. Trolling motor only. Please observe buoy restrictions and signage.

KINCAID LAKE Channel Catfish: 12-inch minimum size limit LAKE BESHEAR Channel Catfish: 12-inch minimum size limit LAKE BLYTHE Christian County Largemouth Bass: 12 to 15-inch protective slot limit. All largemouth bass caught between 12 and 15 inches in length must be immediately released. LAKE CHUMLEY Fishing during daylight hours only. LAKE CUMBERLAND The boundaries of Lake Cumberland are defined as Cumberland Falls on the Cumberland River, Devils Jump on the Big South Fork, the Narrows of Rockcastle River and Laurel River Lake Dam on Laurel River. Crappie: 10-inch minimum size limit. Lake Sturgeon: Catch and release only. Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit. Smallmouth Bass: 18-inch minimum size limit. Striped Bass: 22-inch minimum size limit, 2 fish daily creel limit LAKE JERICHO Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited. Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit. LAKE MALONE Largemouth Bass: 12 to 15-inch protective slot limit.

All largemouth bass caught between 12 and 15 inches in length must be immediately released. Channel Catfish: 12-inch minimum size limit. LAKE REBA Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited. Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit, 3 fish daily creel limit. Blue and Channel Catfish: 12-inch minimum size limit. LAKE SHELBY Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit, 3 fish daily creel limit. Channel Catfish: 4 fish daily creel limit, no minimum size limit. LAND BETWEEN THE LAKES NATIONAL RECREATION AREA (301 KAR 1:031) Special fishing regulations are in effect for ponds and small lakes within Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. For complete fishing information on this area, anglers should contact: Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area, Golden Pond, KY 42231, phone (270) 924-2000. LAUREL RIVER LAKE Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit.

Smallmouth Bass: 18-inch minimum size limit, 2 fish daily creel limit. Crappie: 9-inch minimum size limit, 15 fish daily limit. LEARY LAKE Fishing during daylight hours only. Channel Catfish: 4 fish daily creel limit. Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit, 3 fish daily creel limit. LEBANON CITY LAKE - see Fagan Branch Lake LEFT FORK, BEAVER CREEK Floyd County All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 must be immediately released and only artificial baits shall be used during this period. LEVISA FORK OF BIG SANDY RIVER above Fishtrap Lake and all tributaries Walleye: 2 fish daily creel limit; 18- to 26-inch protective slot limit. All walleye caught from 18 to 26 inches long must be immediately released. LINCOLN HOMESTEAD STATE PARK LAKE Washington County Fishing during daylight hours only. Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited. Channel Catfish: 4 fish daily creel limit, no minimum size limit.

Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit, 3 fish daily creel limit. MARION COUNTY LAKE Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited. Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit. MARTIN'S FORK LAKE and all tributaries Walleye: 2 fish daily creel limit; 18- to 26-inch protective slot limit. All walleye caught from 18 to 26 inches long must be immediately released. McNEELY LAKE Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited. Blue and Channel Catfish: 12-inch minimum size limit. MIDDLE FORK, RED RIVER Powell County Within the Natural Bridge State Park, all trout caught from October 1 through March 31 must be immediately released and only artificial baits shall be used during this period. MILL CREEK LAKE Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited. Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit; 3 fish daily creel limit. NEW HAVEN OPTIMIST LAKE Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit, 3 fish daily creel limit.

Channel Catfish: 4 fish daily creel limit, no minimum size limit. NOLIN RIVER LAKE Lake upper boundary extended to the Wheelers Mill Road bridge in the Nolin River arm and to the Hwy. 728 bridge in the Bacon Creek arm. Crappie: 9-inch minimum size limit. Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch size limit, except 1 fish in the daily limit or 2 in the possession limit may be less than 15 inches long. OHIO RIVER – see also, “Bordering Waters” Walleye, Sauger and their Hybrids: No minimum size limit, 10 fish daily limit, singly or combined. White Bass, Striped Bass and their Hybrids: 30 fish daily limit, only 4 fish in the daily limit may be 15 inches or longer. Blue, Channel and Flathead Catfish: Anglers may keep one blue or flathead catfish 35 inches or longer and one channel catfish 28 inches or longer daily. No daily creel limit for catfish under those limits.

OTTER CREEK Meade County Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 12- to 16 inch protective slot limit. All largemouth and smallmouth bass caught between 12 and 16 inches in length must be immediately released; 6 fish daily creel limit, only 1 fish may be longer than 16 inches. All trout caught in Fort Knox Military Reservation and in Otter Creek Park from October 1 through March 31 must be immediately released and only artificial baits shall be used during this period. There is a one-mile stretch of Otter Creek as posted by signs in Fort Knox Military Reservation where trout fishing is open to statewide regulations. Fort Knox Military Reservation requires the purchase of a $10 permit to fish and is closed to fishing on Tuesdays. Anglers must check-in with the Fort Knox Hunt Control Office at (502) 624-2712 before each day’s fishing. PAINT CREEK Johnson County 16-inch minimum size limit and 1 fish daily creel limit on trout from the KY 40 bridge downstream to the first U.S. 460 bridge crossing and only artificial baits shall be used.

PAINTSVILLE LAKE Largemouth Bass: 12 to 15-inch protective slot limit. All largemouth bass caught between 12 and 15 inches in length must be released immediately. Smallmouth Bass: 18-inch minimum size limit. PARCHED CORN CREEK Only artificial baits with single hook shall be used. Brook Trout must be immediately released. PEABODY WMA LAKES In addition to a fishing license, a $15.00 user permit is required of persons age 16 and over while on Peabody WMA. Permits can be purchased online . Fishing open Mar. 16 - Oct. 14 on Goose, Island and South Lake, all other lakes open year-round. PENNYRILE LAKE Christian County Largemouth Bass: 12 to 15-inch protective slot limit. All largemouth bass between 12 and 15 inches in length must be immediately released. PIKEVILLE CITY LAKE Largemouth Bass: All largemouth bass caught must be immediately released. POOR FORK and its tributaries Letcher County Downstream to the first crossing of Hwy.

932, only artificial baits with single hook shall be used. Brook Trout must be immediately released. REFORMATORY LAKE Blue and Channel Catfish: 12-inch minimum size limit. ROCK CREEK McCreary County From Bell Farm Bridge upstream to Tennessee state line, all trout caught from October 1 through March 31 must be immediately released and only artificial baits shall be used during this period. ROUGH RIVER LAKE Crappie: 9-inch minimum size limit. Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit except 1 fish in the daily creel limit or 2 in the possession limit may be less than 15 inches long. SHANTY HOLLOW LAKE Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited. Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit. Channel Catfish: 12-inch minimum size limit. SHILLALAH CREEK Bell County Outside the Cumberland Gap National Park as posted, only artificial baits with single hook shall be used. Brook Trout must be immediately released. Q: Is fishing allowed around a dock or a marina? A: It depends. Public marinas on U.S.

Army Corps of Engineers Lakes have contractual agreements that address lease space on public waters. The Corps presently allows the marina owners or operators to post signs that prohibit fishing within 150 feet of their floating structures. These agreements do not prohibit a person from fishing in their boat rental slip. This policy does not apply to privately owned boat docks on Corps lakes. SPORTSMAN’S LAKES Franklin County Fishing during daylight hours only. Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited. See FINs lakes for daily creel and minimum size limit. SPURLINGTON LAKE Possession or use of shad for bait is prohibited SWIFT CAMP CREEK Clifty Wilderness, Wolfe County All trout caught from October 1 through May 31 shall be released immediately and only artificial baits shall be used during this period. SYMPSON LAKE Largemouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit. TAYLORSVILLE LAKE Lake upper boundary extended to Dry Dock Road on Salt River. Crappie: 9-inch minimum size limit, 15 fish daily creel limit. Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit.

Blue and Channel Catfish: 15-fish daily creel limit. 1 fish of the daily creel limit may be longer than 25 inches. TENNESSEE RIVER from Kentucky Lake Dam downstream to confluence with Ohio River The area from Kentucky Dam to the new U.S. 62 bridge will be open to snagging 24 hours per day from January 1 through May 31. From June 1 through December 31, the area is open to snagging from sunset to sunrise. The area of the Tennessee River from the new U.S. 62 bridge to the I-24 bridge is closed to snagging year round. The area from the I-24 bridge to the confluence with the Ohio River is open to snagging year round. There is now a daily creel limit of 8 fish in aggregate and shall not exceed the daily creel limit for any sport fish in which the creel limit is under 8 fish per day. Snagging must cease if any sport fish daily creel limit is attained. All fish snagged including paddlefish, except shad, herring or Asian carp, must be taken into possession and not culled.

Snagged fish must not be disposed on the bank. This action is littering and subject to a fine. Snagged paddlefish or their roe cannot be sold. Gigging is prohibited in the Tennessee River below Kentucky Dam. See the Gigging and Snagging section for more information. Sauger: 14-inch minimum size limit. TRAMMEL CREEK Allen County All trout caught from October 1 through March 31 must be immediately released and only artificial baits shall be used during this period. Brown Trout: 16-inch minimum size limit, 1 fish daily creel limit. WOOD CREEK LAKE Laurel County Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: 15-inch minimum size limit. Walleye: 2 fish daily creel limit; 18- to 26-inch protective slot limit. All walleye caught from 18 to 26 inches long must be immediately released. YATESVILLE LAKE Cape Fear's Summer Catfish -- Get 'em Now! Share on Google+ The Cape Fear’s enormous drainage area near the Atlantic Ocean has millions of holes and logjams — the perfect homes for several species of catfish.

(August 2006) By Mike Marsh Mike Marsh shows off a big catfish of about 40 pounds from the New Hanover County section of the river. Photo courtesy of Mike Marsh. The Cape Fear River eventually drains into the Atlantic Ocean. By the time its turbulent waters get to Bald Head Island, they have passed through New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender, Bladen, Cumberland and Harnett counties. It begins life at the confluence of the Deep River and Haw River at Lee and Chatham counties. Along the length of the Cape Fear anglers catch all sorts and sizes of catfish. Sometimes catfish catches are intentional, sometimes accidental. But catfish anglers are in for quite a jolt when a catfish strikes and makes a dive for the nearest undercut bank. At lower stretches of the river, salinity keeps most of the freshwater catfish at bay. But there are still prized catfish to be caught. Most anglers who first catch gafftopsail catfish are using cut bait or live baits while fishing for other saltwater fish. A big gafftopsail can break 10 pounds, but most weigh less than 4 pounds.

The gafftopsail is a tough fighter. Predatory by nature, this unique catfish chases live baits and therefore is especially numerous during the “mullet runs” at summer’s end. Anglers using jigs or scented soft baits may also catch them while fishing for speckled trout. The gafftopsail catfish is named for long streamers trailing from its pectoral and dorsal fins. The fins are apparently close enough in form to resemble a type of sail and give the fish its name. They cannot be confused with any other type of catfish but are sometimes caught along with smaller saltwater catfish called hardheads. Hardheads seldom weigh above 2 pounds and resemble bullhead catfish enough that they can confuse anglers fishing in the upper reaches of the river. Both saltwater catfish have thicker slime coats than freshwater catfish and that turns some anglers off to dressing them. But once they know both of these saltwater catfish offer as fine an eating experience as any freshwater catfish, they happily drop them into their coolers. In fact, many anglers who have tried eating them believe the gafftopsail is the best tasting catfish in any waters.

Gafftopsail catfish form large schools in navigation channels. The best places to catch them are from the open sandbars along the edges of the navigation channels where bottom rigs won’t get snagged. Hardheads like to stay in the depths. Deep holes are the best places to catch them, although either catfish can even be caught from the ocean surf. The most likely place to catch these saltwater catfish in the Cape Fear is downstream of Wilmington. However, like many saltwater fish, they can survive in low salinities and may be caught as far upriver as Lock and Dam No. 1 at Elizabethtown if the water flow is low as it often is during the summer months. The best places to launch for catching saltwater catfish are from the city of Wilmington ramp located at the foot of Castle Street northeast of the U.S. 74-76 drawbridge and at the NCWRC Snow’s Cut Boating Access Area located off Spencer Farlow Road in Carolina Beach east of the U.S. 421 bridge. In the freshwater catfish category, the Cape Fear has several contenders for top-flight fishing. The native catfish include brown and yellow bullheads, white catfish and channel catfish.

These small catfish are the mainstay of many fishing trips. Bullheads seldom exceed a couple of pounds in weight. White catfish can weigh more than 15 pounds but usually are in the lightweight class with bullheads. Channel catfish are next in size and commonly weigh above 5 pounds, with 10-pounders not at all rare. Bullheads are easy to identify with their bloated belly appearance and large heads in comparison with body size. Channel catfish are the next easiest to identify because they have more streamlined bodies and have scattered dark spots on their sides. The white catfish is the most misidentified catfish in North Carolina waters, often mistaken for a channel or blue catfish. It has a forked tail with rounded lobes that is unlike any other catfish. These smaller species are a “catfisherman’s meat fish.” They will strike anything that smells and looks like protein and are occasionally caught with soft-plastic lures and spinners. In one multiple-species catfish catch along a tributary to the river, I found that the fish had been eating small turtles, a wood duck hatchling, aquatic vegetation, minnows and fry, sirens, beetles and grasshoppers.

In many of the bullheads the predominant food was laurel oak acorns. Anglers can catch these smaller catfish using prepared stink baits, cheese baits and blood baits. Packaged baits are easy to buy, store and carry to the river. They also stay on the hook nicely in the rushing waters above Wilmington. Other all-around catfish baits include worms, chicken livers, hot dogs, bacon, canned luncheon meat, shrimp, cut fish and canned corn. The best areas to fish for the smaller catfish are near fallen trees and at the places where oxbows and feeder creeks join the main channel of the Northeast Cape Fear River. There are some excellent places for bank-bound anglers to fish. There is a New Hanover County Parks and Recreation public fishing area with a wooden dock located on Old Bridge Site Road on the southwest side of the N.C. 133-U.S. 117 Highway bridge across the Northeast Cape Fear River at Castle Hayne. On the southeast side of the bridge, the NCWRC Castle Hayne boating access area is an excellent place to launch.

The mouth of Prince George Creek located a couple of miles to the south and the mouth of Island Creek, a couple of miles to the north, are also excellent places for catfishing. Another free public fishing area is located to the south of the NCWRC Holly Shelter boating access area on SR 1523. A trail extends southward along the riverfront and it is open to walk-in fishing along its length. Lane’s Ferry Bait and Tackle is located on the west side of the N.C. 210 bridge at Rocky Point. The private launching area charges a small fee for fishing from the boat docks and for using the ramp. It’s a great location for accessing some of the best catfishing along the Northeast Cape Fear. Other NCWRC ramps accessing the Northeast Cape Fear are Sawpit Landing at SR 1512 near Burgaw and Kenansville Landing off N.C. 24 at Wildlife Landing Road. Of the smaller catfish species, only the channel catfish moves into the game fish category. Sadly or happily, depending on viewpoint, the native Cape Fear system catfish are being displaced by introduced big-game catfish — flatheads and blues.

Blue catfish attain enormous sizes, with documented records from the Mississippi River during the 1800s of fish weighing over 300 pounds. There is the potential for a 100-pound blue catfish from the Cape Fear, according to angler reports of huge fish that couldn’t be landed. Blue catfish can be confused with channel catfish, but lack spots on their sides. The anal fin is long and straight rather than rounded like that of the channel catfish. Flathead catfish are easy to identify by the flattened appearance of the top of the head.

Question: What type of fish is sometimes caught by "noodling"?
Answer: Catfish