For those who live in Alabama’s southern districts, Monroe County Lake is the best bet for catfish. This 94-acre lake lies five miles west of Beatrice. The area has a picnic pavilion for those wishing to get out of the sun for a bit. In addition to catfish, Monroe County Lake supports an excellent bream fishery.

Barbour County Lake covers 75 acres north of Clayton. Last year it had an excellent average size for channel cats -- more than 2 pounds each. Also, 45-acre Pike County Lake in Troy is a good place to fish for cats.

Sometimes referred to as “J. Emmett Wood Lake.” 84-acre Washington County Lake in Millry was restocked and reopened for fishing in 2006, Turner reported. He expects this lake to be a good catfish and bream producer in 2007. In addition to the usual facilities, Washington County Lake has a picnic pavilion and self-contained campsites that make it an excellent family fishing destination.

If big cats are your targets, then Dallas County Lake, with its 3 1/2-pound average fish in 2006, is another good bet. The 184-acre Escambia County Lake in Wing yielded the second-largest average catfish size last year at 3.1 pounds, making it another great southern Alabama destination. Other ponds that produced a good average were 183-acre Chambers County Lake in Lafayette and 53-acre Crenshaw County Lake in Luverne. Each of these lakes yielded catfish that averaged over 2 pounds apiece.

Since channel cats don’t tend to get very big, whatever tackle you have in the closet is probably going to be just fine, Turner said. Most channel catfish in the state fishing lakes run 2 to 4 pounds, with a smattering of 7- to 8-pound fish. “You’re not likely to encounter a catfish that will tear your tackle up,” he offered. “A Zebco 33 will be just fine with at least 10-pound-test line, but 20- to 30-pound-test will work better.”

A lucky angler may occasionally encounter a blue catfish or flathead in the lakes. These species can run up to 40 pounds, but generally you don’t have to worry about encountering one of them, Turner noted.

Channel cats are not picky eaters, but the smellier the bait the better your chances of catching fish. Bait choices for catfish range far and wide with cheese, chicken, doughballs, hot dogs, red worms, cut bait, blood baits and liver being among the more popular choices.

One of the great things about the state fishing lakes is that they all offer good bank and pier access. Automated fish feeders are present at all of the piers in the lake system, so fishing right off the pier is generally a good bet. In addition, most of the lakes have good cover, which is the catfish’s preferred habitat. Anglers who fish from the banks are also likely to be successful: Just bring your lawn chair, your picnic and your bait bucket, and you’re set to go.