Catfishing LakeRiver & Vancouver Lake

[Pete112288]

My wife just loves catfish, and wants to get out with me to catch some. I have fished Lake River at the Felida moorage a few times. Once it gets dark I have done pretty well on bullheads and a few small channels. About 1 channel to every 5 bullheads. But nothing over 8 inches. I have tried Lacamas as well but find night access difficult as most spots I have seen say no access after dark. I have a boat and have been all over Vancouver lake duck hunting. Anyone have any tips for trying to target some table fare size catfish in or around Vancouver? Any help would be great. Bait besides nightcrawlers? Locations.

[pianoman9701]

You can pull off and catch channel cats on NE Leadbetter Rd just about .25mi NW of the boat ramp at Lacamas Lake. There's a pull-off big enough there for about 5 vehicles. There have been some bigguns caught there.

[The Marquis]

I'm curious about bait as well.  I've caught em on nightcrawlers and bits of shad.  Never caught any at the Moorage though.  Curious about that.  Are you using a light to shine on the water?

[KopperBuck]

We use chicken livers. Buy em at the grocery store.

[Kc_Kracker]

Harts Lake in Yelm has channel cats over 30 lbs

[pianoman9701]

Harts Lake in Yelm has channel cats over 30 lbs

So does Lacamas Lake. I believe 38 is the record there. May be off.

[Pete112288]

Harts Lake in Yelm has channel cats over 30 lbs

So does Lacamas Lake. I believe 38 is the record there. May be off.

Yea, I believe it's 38 as well. According to what I heard.

I'm curious about bait as well.  I've caught em on nightcrawlers and bits of shad.  Never caught any at the Moorage though.  Curious about that.  Are you using a light to shine on the water?

No I haven't used any light on the water, mostly a split shot or similar 12 inches or so to the hook, with worm, sometimes a glowing corkie above the hook.

[duckmen1]

Harts Lake in Yelm has channel cats over 30 lbs

Is this lake still producing channel cats? Haven't heard much about it in a number of years since the state quit putting them in and the heavy pressure it received afterwards for a number of years. I've personally only been getting bullheads.

[Kc_Kracker]

oh yes it still is, saw several monsters come out last year