Jug-fishing can be done in both lakes and streams, but many anglers prefer stream jugging because the current is constantly carrying the jugs through new catfish territory. One blue-ribbon stream I’d highly recommend is the lower White River, a prime honeyhole for inestimable numbers of jumbo cats. The best jugging starts near Clarendon and gets progressively better as one travels downstream. There are several reasons for this. First, because the lower river is farther from population centers, there’s less pressure on the fish from anglers. Also, the river itself widens as it nears the Mississippi from which many of the catfish migrate. Most importantly, the lower reaches of the White have warmer summer water temperatures, which catfish instinctively prefer. Good numbers of flatheads, blue cats and channel cats all can be found here.

One of the best reaches for jugging is the stretch of river passing through the White River National Wildlife Refuge. Access roads through the refuge lead to several launch areas, including those at St. Charles, Hudson’s Landing, Floodgate and Jack’s Bay. For more information, obtain a refuge map and fishing regulations by contacting White River NWR, P.O. Box 205, St. Charles, AR 72140, (870) 282-8200, or visit www.fws. gov/whiteriver .

BEST BET FOROVERLOOKED CATFISHING
Many, many prime Arkansas catfishing waters are largely overlooked by whiskerfish fans. Among the most neglected of these, however, are three small U.S. Forest Service lakes near the town of Hollis in Perry County. Cove Creek Lake covers 40 acres, six miles northeast of Hollis. Dry Fork Lake, a 90-acre reservoir, is 16 miles west of Hollis, and 30-acre Little Bear Creek Lake is two miles south of Hollis. All three lakes are within the Ouachita National Forest, and all support thriving populations of channel catfish.

The U.S. Forest Service constructed these diminutive lakes primarily for flood control, but each has also been amply stocked not only with channel cats, but largemouth bass, bluegills and crappie as well. Fishing opportunities are superb, but relatively few anglers know about these hotspots because of their small size and relative remoteness. Those who do know have apparently been secretive about their honeyholes.

Catfishing on this trio is either a bank-fishing or a small-boat proposition. None of the lakes offers a launch ramp suitable for large boats, so if you do plan to use a boat, a lightweight johnboat or canoe that can be carried to the water is preferable. If you have a portable depth-sounder, bring that along, too. Little Bear, Dry Fork and Cove Creek all have inundated creek channels in deep water where catfish often hold. If you’re fishing from the bank, try casting to deep water near the dams during the day, and fish the edges of shallow flats at night. Almost any bait will work for channel cats, but crawdads, catalpa worms, minnows and night crawlers rank among the best.

Little Bear Creek Lake and Cove Creek Lake are on county roads branching off state Route 7. Dry Fork Lake is off state Route 314. For more detailed directions, contact the Ouachita National Forest, P.O. Box 1270, Hot Springs, AR 71902, (501) 321-5202, or visit www.fs.fed.us/ r8/ouachita .

The fact of the matter is that a properly presented bait will entice catfish just about anywhere you give it a try in Arkansas. And because this season is prime time for big Natural State cats, get out there and give it whirl today. Big, brawling, eager to hit and great to eat -- what more could you ask from a game fish? Let the other guys fish for bass; make mine catfish.

(Editor’s Note: Keith “Catfish” Sutton’s third and latest catfishing book, Pro Tactics: Catfish, is now available. Order autographed copies by visiting www.catfishsutton.com .)