Catfish are the bread and butter of Kansas fishing. Channel cats, blues, flatheads — Wichita’s got water full of all three. Here’s the no-fluff guide to putting fish in the cooler.
Best Time of Year for Catfish in Kansas
Catfish bite year-round in Kansas, but the best stretch runs late April through September. Water warms up, the pre-spawn fires off in May, and they feed hard all summer.
- Spring (April–May): Pre-spawn channels move shallow. Hit cut bait near the bank.
- Summer (June–August): Night fishing in 70°+ water — biggest catfish of the year come out after dark.
- Fall (September–October): Big channels feed heavy before winter. Stink bait season.
- Winter: Slow but not dead. Tailwater holes below dams stay productive.
Best Bait for Kansas Catfish
Different cats want different bait. Match the fish to the bait or you’re wasting a trip.
Channel Catfish — Stink Bait Wins
For channel cats, nothing beats a real stink bait. Mr. Mc’s Magical Catfish Stink Bait is built from real minnows and real fish oils — more scent, stronger hold, longer in the water. Use a treble hook or a dip worm and let the scent trail do the work.
Blue Catfish — Cut Shad or Live Shad
Blues want flesh. Cut shad, cut skipjack, or live shad on a Carolina rig. Bigger bait, bigger blues.
Flathead Catfish — Live Only
Flatheads eat live bait. Period. Live bluegill, live perch, live bullheads. If it’s dead, a flathead’s not interested.
Best Local Spots Around Wichita
- Arkansas River — runs right through town. Below the dams downtown produces channel cats year-round.
- El Dorado Lake — good blue cat water, especially in the river arm.
- Cheney Reservoir — solid channels and the occasional big blue.
- Wilson State Fishing Lake — small water, hungry channels.
- Local farm ponds — best bites are right after a rain stirs the water up.
Tackle That Holds Up
You don’t need fancy. You need strong.
- 7′ medium-heavy rod
- 4000-series reel with 20–30 lb braid or 15 lb mono
- Circle hooks (4/0 to 8/0 depending on bait size)
- Slip sinkers, 1–3 oz
- A landing net big enough for what you’re going to catch
We carry the whole rig in our Bait & Tackle section — pick up bait, terminal tackle, and our stink bait on the same trip.
One More Thing — Run Cleared Lines
Kansas catfish don’t care how expensive your gear is. They care about scent, presentation, and patience. Set the rod, run a clean line, give it time. The bite comes.
📚 Related on Mr. Mc’s Market
Stop by Mr. Mc’s Market — Wichita’s Neighborhood Spot
📍 1901 E 21st St N, Wichita, KS 67214
📞 (316) 265-9930
📧 admin@mrmcsmarket.com
🕐 Open 9 AM – 9 PM, 7 days a week
👉 Heading out for catfish? Stop in for live bait, stink bait, and tackle — or call (316) 265-9930 to confirm what’s in stock today.