Where can you enjoy the best catfishing in Arkansas in 2006? That's a tough question to answer -- tough, because our state encompasses scores of phenomenal catfish fisheries. Except for our cold tailrace trout streams, nearly every body of water in the state has healthy populations of blue, channel, flathead and/or bullhead catfish.

If you're out to catch a mess of small cats to provide the makings for a fish fry, numerous lakes and streams will fill the bill. But if you'd rather tussle with a trophy-class catfish, we've got those, too, in more waters than you've ever imagined. Many lakes and rivers provide the best of both worlds -- lots of catfish, with enough heavyweights thrown in to keep things exciting.

Let's take a look at some of the waters most likely to produce for you this season.

BEST CORPS RESERVOIR
Lake Ouachita
Lake Ouachita, which stretches from Mt. Ida on the west to Hot Springs on the east, holds some of the biggest catfish swimming in Arkansas waters. Relatively few people target catfish at this huge impoundment, but several anglers have taken giant cats from Ouachita's waters in recent years, including several blue cats pushing the 100-pound mark.

You might think the production of such monsters would make this 40,000-acre U.S. Army Corps of Engineers impoundment the focal point of lots of catfishing attention. But Ouachita doesn't rate high with many catfish anglers because it's super-tough to fish. This lake is clear, deep and enormous. Giant cats here got to be giants because they spend their active hours in places most anglers wouldn't consider fishing -- extremely deep holes and ledges, mid-lake reaches in open water, dense piles of deep woody cover and subtle, hard-to-find structures along creek and river channels.

Despite the difficulties one faces, however, big cats can be caught here. The current state-record channel cat, a 38-pounder caught in June 1989, came from Lake Ouachita, and heavier ones probably lurk in the depths.

I've seen numerous photos of 60- to 98-pound blues landed here by savvy local cat men who would prefer I didn't tell you that. And while the lake doesn't provide prime habitat for flatheads, the comparative rarity of this species is overshadowed by the size of those present. Flatheads over 50 pounds are taken here more often than most folks realize.

Fishing during limited light periods is the key to success in Ouachita's clear water. In early morning and late afternoon, light penetration is minimal, and fish may move into forage-filled shallows to feed. Cloudy days can be good for many hours of successful catfishing, and during the heat of summer, many catfish fans enjoy night-fishing.

Another way successful Ouachita catfish anglers cope with ultraclear water is fishing deeper structure and cover. No matter how clear the water may seem, it still cuts light penetration, and at a depth of 20 feet or more, light may be sufficiently reduced that it doesn't disturb catfish.