Rend has always offered the best catfishing of the three, according to DNR biologist Mike Hooe. "The catfishery here is self-perpetuating," Hooe said. "You can come here just about anytime and catch a nice mess of catfish in a relatively short time."

Shelbyville's channel catfish are present in catchable numbers but with populations still below established trends. "Catfishing simply isn't as good as it used to be, and we don't know why," biologist Mike Mounce said. "Those folks who know how to fish for 'em still do quite well though."

Barry Neuman, who is tasked with managing Carlyle's fishery, says that catfish numbers are "holding their own," with "good representation of year-classes and a generally stable fishery."

Large reservoirs, feeder creeks, flats off of riprapped areas and windblown points in close proximity to the old creek channels are all good places to look for channel catfish. Bridges and anyplace where a lake necks down will usually have current that also draws fish. Although current may be slack in a narrows without any wind, a strong blow from either direction can cause water to "stack up" on the leeward side of the lake, creating current on a large reservoir. When the wind subsides and starts to blow from the other direction, current will run the other way as the water equalizes.

There are over 200 ponds and small lakes in the federally managed Shawnee National Forest alone, with many of these waters so remote that catfish here seldom, if ever, see a hook. Access to other waters like the A-41 pond nestled between Devils Kitchen and Little Grassy lakes in Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge are walk-in only. There is no need for restrictive harvest guidelines on places like A-41. You'll only want to carry out as many catfish as you can catch once. After that, taking just enough to grease the skillet is a good plan.

The Visitor Pond, located directly behind the Visitor Center at this wildlife refuge, is an easier walk along a mostly blacktopped path and holds several different species of fish, including channel catfish. It offers good action just five minutes from the parking lot off of the handicapped-accessible pier.

Personnel at the refuge can provide you with maps for both refuge waters and the Shawnee National Forest, with National Forest offices in both Harrisburg and Murphysboro also good sources of information. The phone number for Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge is (618) 997-3344.

The namesake lake of this refuge is one of the very best catfish waters in all of southern Illinois, with a self-sustaining population and multiple year-classes present in these 7,000 acres. Crab Orchard is managed jointly by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Illinois DNR, with DNR biologist Chris Bickers saying, "there is great catfishing on Crab just about anyplace you want to fish."

However, there is a fish-consumption advisory in place on this lake, with bottom feeders like catfish at the top of the list.

"Over 75 percent of the channel catfish biomass in Crab Orchard is over 20 inches long," Bickers said, "but if you're looking for a place to go 'catching' instead of 'eating,' Crab Orchard is the place."

There are few restrictions on this shallow, sprawling lake straddling Highway 13. But a portion of the lake is closed from October until mid-March as a refuge for waterfowl.

Another top catfish lake that also serves as a waterfowl refuge is Mermet, a little farther south. These 452 acres just west of Highway 45 close two weeks prior to waterfowl hunting, opening up right after the season closes. Mermet receives annual stocking of 10,000 non-vulnerable channel catfish, with most forktails averaging about 16 to 18 inches. There is no size limit, but a six-daily bag limit and 10-hp motor restriction are in place. No boat? No problem. Most of the 4.6 miles of shoreline are good for bank-fishing. If you're looking for a nearly-sure-thing fish fry, Mermet is the place to go.

Contact: Mermet Lake Conservation Area, (618) 524-5577.

Many communities downstate rely on lakes as sources for drinking water, with these city reservoirs often stocked with good populations of channel cats and other species.

Gillespie Old City Lake and Gillespie New City Lake both illustrate this point. Biologist Jeff Pontnack says the old lake is a great place to take kids or fill a stringer with eaters. This 71-acre lake has a good population of 3- to 5- pound fish as well, with annual supplemental stockings of non-vulnerable 8-inch fingerlings every year by the DNR. Shoreline access is limited here, with a 10-hp limit in place for boat anglers. Right now, catfish in Gillespie Old City Lake are migrating from 3- to 5-foot flats into deeper water off of shoreline willows where they will spend the summer.

The Gillespie New City Lake is better known as a largemouth bass fishery. But this is the place to go if you're looking for a tussle. Pontnack said recent surveys have yielded fish approaching 20 pounds. "There are a surprising number of channel catfish swimming in Gillespie New City Lake in double digits," Pontnack said. "If you're looking for a fight instead of food, this is where you want to fish."

Contact: Carlinville Chamber of Commerce, (217) 854-2141.