Southeast Georgia's Altamaha River, the largest free-flowing river in the state, contains dense populations of both flathead and channel catfish. For those on the hunt for a trophy flathead, this is probably the prime destination, having earned itself a regional reputation. Even with their decline in overall numbers over the past few years, there are still plenty of flatheads in all sizes here to provide high-quality fishing. Look for the peak of the flathead season during the hot summer months when the river is running well within its banks.

The Altamaha's channel cats are found in the swifter water around sandbars or along bluff walls. Though smaller than the big flatheads, they're excellent table fare, and far less finicky about their bait preferences.

Lake Oconee in north-central Georgia provides some good fishing for channel and blue catfish as it sprawls across Greene and Morgan counties. A Georgia Power lake on the Oconee River, this fishery is one of the state's youngest reservoirs, having been impounded in 1979.

While it's the bass fishing on Oconee that keeps most anglers returning year after year, the reservoir's overlooked catfishery is a good bet during the summer. Channel cats abound, and its solid population of blue cats may be taken from deep holes and river channel areas on cut bait and live shad.

Summertime is also one of the best periods for targeting channel catfish at Lake Walter F. George, a Chattahoochee River impoundment in southwest Georgia. The sandy flats on this large reservoir provide plenty of catfish territory. The open expanses also contain a smattering of wood structure that the channel cats relate to as well.

Morning and evening hours during the summer find blue and channel catfish moving regularly from river and creek channels onto the flats. The catfish use these areas as low-light feeding grounds and readily take both live and prepared baits fished there.

SUMMING UP
The old catfish, bless its heart, is a ubiquitous critter. It can be found in Georgia almost anywhere there's water. What's more, it's good to eat and a ton of fun to catch. With all that going for it, it's mighty good company during a summer day's fishing, wherever you may be.