Flatheads are very similar in appetite to blue cats, even more so when it comes to live bait. While blue cats can be caught on a variety of baits, flatheads almost always feed on live bait unless it is in limited supply.

Good flathead baits include bluegills and green sunfish, crayfish, minnows and other live offerings. Of course, one should always consider live bait regulations for individual waters before fishing. Not all baits are legal in all areas.

Unlike blue catfish, flatheads don’t usually suspend in open water. They almost always prefer some form of structure -- large brushpiles, logjams, single trees or large rocks. Flatheads often spend daylight hours in deep water far away from the penetration of sunlight. By late evening, they begin cruising shallow flats or along points in search of food.

Remember when chasing blue and flathead catfish, everyday fishing tackle may not be enough. A rod and reel may function admirably on average-sized fish, but a 50- or 60-pound catfish may send your favorite setup to an early grave. Heavy-duty rods and reels, heavy poundage line and stout hooks are a must to tackle the big boys.

Channel catfish could easily hold the distinction of America’s favorite catfish. Not only are they the most widely distributed catfish of the big three; they are also the easiest to catch. Many a young person was introduced to the treasure of catfishing by hooking their first channel cat.

Channel cats are found in all depth ranges and in a wide variety of habitats, although they are typically known as bottom dwellers and usually targeted by tight-lining baits right on the bottom or suspending baits just off the bottom.

Anglers can catch channel cats on just about anything. They are opportunistic feeders and will bite nearly any kind of live bait along with the traditional smelly catfish baits. Red worms, night crawlers, grubs and mealworms work exceptionally well. Cut bait, shad guts, chicken livers and dough balls all catch channel cats along with commercial stink baits, cheese baits, blood baits and homemade concoctions.

Channel catfish can be caught all day and all night when conditions are right. They are by far the easiest to put in the boat or haul onto the bank. Shore-bound anglers are especially fond of channel cats as they are much more in reach of casting from the bank than blues or flatheads.

Look for channel cats to hang out in deep-water locations during the daytime. They can be found along dropoff edges along the line between shallow and deep water.

When night approaches, they move to shallow waters, prowling points, coves and shoreline structure in search of forage. Many anglers wait until dark to target channel cats and fish until sunrise.

No matter whether one is targeting a fiddler size channel cat or a monstrous blue or flathead catfish, Powerton Lake seems to be the place to find them. All three species are doing exceptionally well and look to remain so into the near future.

So, that brings us back to our initial query: Will catfish at Powerton Lake one day supplant the bass population? Probably not, but they should offer some fantastic fishing opportunities for those enamored with chasing whiskerfish.

Powerton Lake, located southwest of Pekin in Tazewell County, opens to boaters on Feb. 15 and closes the day before regular duck season. Other regulations apply, so consult the 2008 Illinois Fishing Information booklet for details. It may be obtained at license vendors or by contacting the Illinois DNR at (217) 782-6302 or online at dnr.state.il.us .