"Anglers catch quite a few channels on cheese bait, Sonny's Dip Bait, shad and livers," said Jim Porter of Jim's Live Bait & Tackle in Springfield. "Most of the fish we see coming from the river average between 2 to 4 pounds."

If it's flatheads you're after, head downstream.

"Downstream of Lake Decatur holds many potential locations for finding large flatheads," said the DNR's Thomas. "Most notable from this sampling is the Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park area."

The best population, however, occurs downstream from the town of Riverton.

"We conducted a survey of the river with hoop nets from Riverton to Oakford," said DNR biologist Doug Carney. "One night we caught 44 fish, the next night we caught 52 fish. Numbers are obviously there."

"We see a number of fish in the 12- to 15-pound range," Jim Porter said. "Fish up to about 30 pounds are taken here and there. Most guys target flatheads with a live bluegill with the tail cut off on a slip-sinker rig."

The river from Lincoln Trail Homestead State Memorial to Salt Creek is excellent catfish water. Below the dam in Petersburg, it's possible to run a boat both upstream and downstream.

For more information, contact Region 3 Fisheries at (217) 784-4730. For travel and lodging information, contact the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce at (217) 525-1173.

EMBARRAS RIVER
This east-central Illinois river has some pretty good catfishing.

"Our last survey on the Embarras produced large numbers of catfish," biologist Thomas said. "Most catfish were in the 1- to 3-pound range, but the occasional 5-pounder was also captured. Numbers tended to increase to the southern stretches of the river."

The Embarras is a slow, shallow stream. Numerous holes and washed-out banks provide ample habitat for anglers. Access is generally good, but there are a few areas where it may be necessary to portage around some logjams.

As for presentation, catfish here can be taken with traditional fare: night crawlers and cut bait on a slip-float or sinker rig.

The best stretch of river is from the Lake Charleston Dam to Fox Ridge State Park and from Fox Ridge to Port Jackson. Access is limited and can be somewhat of a challenge. But anglers who take the time to plan a run will probably have the stream to themselves.

For more information on the Embarras River, contact Fox Ridge State Park at (217) 345-6416 or Region 3 fisheries at (217) 784-4730. For travel and lodging information, contact the Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce at (217) 345-7041.

UPPER KASKASKIA RIVER
As far as rivers are concerned, the upper Kaskaskia between Shelbyville and Vandalia could challenge any stream in Illinois for the best overall catfishing.

According to biologist Thomas, during the Upper Kaskaskia River Basin Survey, 89 channel catfish were collected. "These fish averaged less than 2 pounds, with a maximum of almost 8 pounds," Thomas said. "Catch rates ranged from two per hour in Champaign County to 13 per hour in Shelby County near Cowden."

"When the water is up, catfishing is excellent," said Violet Tripp of Kaskaskia River Bait & Campground. "The best baits to use are chicken livers, frozen shad guts or big minnows. Some guys even catch their own shad and use them."