Missouri River Monsters: Trophy-Class Catfish in the Show Me State

Flowing through the heart of the Midwest lies a fishing haven that beckons seasoned anglers and novices alike. The lowermost portion of the Missouri River, coursing 553 miles through the Show-Me State before joining the Mississippi River, offers an unparalleled experience for catfishing enthusiasts. With its abundant catfish population and stunning natural beauty, this stretch of water promises unforgettable angling adventures.

I know this from personal experience. I’ve fished for the river’s giant catfish on several occasions with my sons Josh and Matt, my friend Lewis Peeler and two stalwart Missouri River catfishing experts, brothers Rick and Reggie Gebhardt of Glasgow. On every visit, we’ve caught several trophy-class cats that have left the members of our group with fond memories of this incredible and unique fishery.

On one trip, Josh caught a chunky 32-pound blue cat, his biggest fish ever, while fishing in a downpour that threatened to run us off the water. We thought that would be the highlight of the outing, but after the rain stopped, Matt caught a twin of Josh’s fish—another personal best.

After helping the Sutton boys land their trophies, Rick brought in a monster blue cat double the size. At 64 pounds, it was truly a beast of a fish. Not to be outdone, Reggie showed that the Gebhardt brothers were a catfishing force to be reckoned with when he landed another 60-pound-plus giant.

Heavyweight flatheads are common in the river, but the blues were biting so well on every trip that we passed up opportunities for those big, brown giants. The shad we used for bait were attractive to big channel cats, though, and we boated scores of those good-eating brawlers weighing 5 to 15 pounds.

RECORD MOMENTS

While some of the cats we caught would be considered trophies in almost any fishing circle, much bigger fish occasionally are caught in the Big Muddy. In 1991, for example, the river produced a 103-pound state-record blue cat for Clarence Kerr of Fairfax. That fish later was recognized by the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame as a 30-pound line-class world record.

Then, in 2010, Florissant, Mo., angler Greg Bernal smashed that record by landing a 130-pound Missouri River blue. That fish was not only a new Show-Me State record, but a new all-tackle world record as well.

Big flatheads thrive in the Missouri, too. Darrell Hudspeth of St. Charles caught a pole-and-line state record weighing 77 1/2 pounds near St. Louis in 1997. That fish also clinched world-record honors in the 6-pound-line-class category.

Even bigger were two behemoths that established alternative-method state records. First caught was a 99-pounder hooked on a bank line in 2010 by Robert Davidson of Mokane. Then, five years later, a 100-pound flathead caught on a trotline by Mathew McConkey of Kansas City established a new record that may never be beat.

The Missouri River produces plenty of big channel cats, too, but so far none have found a place in the record books.

RECENT SURVEYS

For several decades, Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) fisheries biologists have conducted several annual samplings to determine the health of the big-three catfish populations in the Missouri.

The most recent surveys indicated high numbers of 25- to 35-inch (6- to 7-pound) blue catfish. Several blues in the 40- to 50-inch range, weighing up to 80 pounds, were also found. Catfish anglers interviewed by the biologists have reported good catches year after year since the turn of the century, with some noting they had caught blues tipping the scales at 70 to 90 pounds.

Flathead catfish also were found in good numbers during recent surveys. Twenty- to 30-inch fish (approximately 4 to 12 pounds) were common, with a few up to 45 inches (43 pounds). Bigger fish don’t turn up often, but local anglers sometimes report flatties weighing 50 pounds or more.

The channel catfish is Missouri’s official state fish, an indicator of its popularity as a food fish and recreational fishing target. The species is common throughout the river, with local anglers reporting an abundance of 1- to 2-pound fish, and many specimens to 4 or 5 pounds. Channel cats exceeding 10 pounds are rare but sometimes turn up.

RIVER TACTICS

Blue Catfish

To find and catch the Missouri’s blue cats, many anglers target current breaks near dike tips and notches, as well as revetted shorelines with swift current. In spring, when the water temperature ranges from 60 to 65 degrees, fishing for blues is optimal. But when using proven tactics, these giants can be caught any time, day or night, year-round.

Choose from a variety of effective baits, including cut Asian carp, shad, skipjack herring and live sunfish or goldfish. Fresh shad, whether whole or cut into chunks, is the top choice of most anglers. Carp work great, too, but remember it’s illegal to transport them alive; they should be killed and promptly placed on ice. State regulations allow anglers to use pole and line, trotlines, bank lines or jugs for successful catfishing, regardless of the species being pursued. Throwlines with 7 to 10 hooks work well for blue cats along riprapped banks and dikes. When using a rod and reel, regardless of the species pursued, be prepared for big-fish hook-ups by opting for a 7-foot-plus rod, a sturdy baitcasting reel and at least 40-pound-test line.

Flatheads

Flathead fans should look for their quarry in deep, slow-moving pools with plentiful cover. Look for toppled trees, submerged logs, undercut banks and large rocks—favored hiding spots of these ambush predators. Big fish will often lurk near brush piles or the ends of wing dikes and in submerged holes in concrete revetment. Night fishing is a particularly productive tactic, as flatheads often feed most heavily after dark.

Most veteran flathead anglers employ live baits such as sunfish, goldfish or chubs, but hungry flatties also take cut bait in spring. Green sunfish, bluegills and creek chubs work well, but many local anglers say bullheads are the best bait, bar none. Rig your line with a slip sinker to position your bait near cover on the riverbed. Patience is key, as flatheads can be cautious feeders, but if no bites are forthcoming after 30 minutes, move to a new locale and try again.

Channel Cats

Missouri River channel catfish frequent areas with slow current in backwaters, side channels, the area between a river’s wing dikes and near-shore behind dikes. They often use shallower water than blues and flatheads. Shallow sand flats, cut banks, revetted shorelines and dikes in slower water are especially productive during spring and summer.

Baits popular with local anglers include chicken livers, shrimp, cut shad and nightcrawlers. Also good are hot dogs, dough baits and ribbed rubber worms dipped in stink baits or blood baits.

Pole-and-line anglers catch lots of channel cats for the dinner table with weighted bottom rigs. Trotlines and jugs are also popular and effective.

PRIME FISHING AREAS

Healthy populations of all three catfish species inhabit the Missouri River from the Iowa border to the river’s mouth near St. Louis, but the MDC recommends some sections of this 553-mile stretch as better than others when it comes to catfishing, including:

• Kansas City to St. Joseph: This stretch is renowned for its diverse catfish population, particularly blue cats. Deep channels and sandbars create feeding grounds that attract lots of whiskerfish.
• Jefferson City to Hermann: A picturesque section of the river, this area has slower currents and hidden pockets where savvy catfish anglers can easily find and catch fish.
• Hermann to St. Louis: As the river widens toward St. Louis, catfish enthusiasts will find a greater abundance of flathead catfish. Rocky structures and submerged logs make ideal hiding spots, promising thrilling battles between angler and fish.

BIG MUDDY MAGIC

The lower Missouri River is a catfish haven, offering rich opportunities for anglers. Personal experiences with my sons and companions have revealed the river’s treasures, from 32-pounders in downpours to staggering 64-pound behemoths.

Record-breaking blue cats, like Kerr’s 103-pounder and Bernal’s 130-pounder, have left their mark. Flatheads near 100 pounds and good-eating channel cats add to the river’s allure. Recent surveys affirm thriving catfish populations, with trophy-size blues and hefty flatheads present.

So, pack your tacklebox, grab your rod and reel and embark on a catfish angling adventure that promises memories to last a lifetime. The Missouri River is waiting, ready to show you its finest finned treasures.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

• Helpful information for the traveling angler pursuing trophy catfish.

Extensive information about the Missouri River and its catfish can be found on the fishing portion of the Missouri Department of Conservation website. Information on licenses, creel limits and more can also be found there.

The Missouri Canoe & Floaters Association provides a detailed set of six river maps that show access areas, plus natural features like conservation areas to explore. Visit the group’s website, click on “River Maps” and select the Missouri River under “Pick a River.”

Meanwhile, the Missouri Department of Tourism is your source for information about overnight accommodations, restaurants, attractions and more. For additional information on catfishing in the Missouri River, contact the following MDC offices.

• Upper River from Kansas City to Chariton/Saline County line: Northwest Regional Office (816-271-3100)
• Middle River from the Chariton/Saline line to the St. Charles/Warren County line: Central Regional Office (573-815-7900)
• Lower River from the St. Charles/Warren County line to the river’s mouth: St. Louis Regional Office (636-441-4554)

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• This article was featured in the March 2024 issue of Game & Fish magazine. Subscribe now.

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