If you prefer your catfishing to be of the still water variety, one up-and-comer to consider is Lake Oconee. There are plenty of smaller channel catfish to keep your attention, but both flathead and blue catfish have recently become established in the lake and their numbers are on the increase. Flathead catfish exceeding 20 pounds are testing Oconee angler's gear on a regular basis.

Live shad or bream are good choices, and cut bait produces too. A rod set out with worms or a small piece of cut bait should draw constant attention from channel catfish, and with another rod soaking a large live bream hoping for a big bite, you should have all the action you can handle.

Lake Oconee is located in Greene County near the towns of Madison and Greensboro. Both bank and boat access is excellent on this 19,050-acre Georgia Power reservoir.

Our final catfish destination is in fact composed of nine different fishing holes. All of the WRD's public fishing areas have fishable populations of channel catfish. Depending on the area, anglers may have numerous smaller ponds to choose from, or there may be one large lake.

These areas are geared toward anglers, and especially families. Boat ramps, restrooms, picnic facilities, and fishing jetties are maintained to help fishermen get to the cats on these intensively managed areas. Public fishing areas are scattered around the state; to locate one near you, go online to GoFishGeorgia.com