SHENANGO RIVER LAKE
At 3,500 acres, Shenango Lake contains an outstanding population of channel cats. During a survey conducted in 2005, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat commission personnel trap-netted 750 of them. Most of the cats ranged from 18 to 22 inches, though some stretched the tape to 28 inches.

Shenango Lake is a federal flood-control lake. A multi-use lake with no horsepower limit, the lake sees plenty of boating activity during summer weekends. But things quiet down when the sun begins to set, which is when the best catfishing begins.

This lake has an abundance of structure to attract fish. Bridge piers and sunken roadways head the list. The lake's gizzard shad population keeps the cats well fed.

Several good access areas exist, including the Shenango and Clark Recreation areas. Call (724) 962-4384 to hear a recorded message regarding daily lake level and current recreation information. You can reach the park office "live" at (724) 962-7746.

Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Mercer County Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1-800-637-2370.

Shenango Lake can be reached via Route 18 north of Sharpsville. Interstate Route 80 passes not far to the south of the lake and provides an excellent way for sportsmen coming from east and west to reach the area.

LAKE ARTHUR
Given Lake Arthur's impressive menu of angling options -- which include largemouth bass, muskies, crappies, walleye and hybrid stripers -- it's not surprising that its channel cats are somewhat overlooked. However, this 3,300-acre lake does contain a healthy channel catfish population, including some large fish.

When the Fish and Boat Commission surveyed the lake in 2004, its nets captured well over 200 channel cats. Most of those fish ran from 18 to 25 inches, though some longer than 30 inches were collected.

Areas to fish for channel cats include the sunken railroad bed between Barbour and Neely Point. The railroad bed tops off in the 16- to 18- foot range. Many a channel cat has drilled a crankbait -- a lure normally intended for walleyes -- being trolled along this area.

Others spots to key in on include the bridge piers of the Route 422 and Route 528 bridges.

Lake Arthur lies in Moraine State Park. The facilities serving the lake are excellent. There is a 20 horsepower limit on outboards.

For more information, log on to www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/moraine.aspx.

LAKE ERIE
Few anglers think of Lake Erie as a catfish water, but it does hold some big channel cats. Two of the state's top forktails, both weighing over 20 pounds, came from Lake Erie last season.

Admittedly, finding channel cats in Lake Erie proper would be like looking for a needle in a haystack. But in places where fish might concentrate -- such as the piers along the channel that connects Presque Isle Bay with Lake Erie -- it might not be such a low-odds proposition. This is where angler Bryan Hodges took one of last year's big channel cats.

Walleye anglers trolling fairly close to shore will also catch the occasional channel cat. Last summer, my buddy Andy Vetula caught a 15-pound-class channel cat when we were trolling in 25 feet of water.

Erie Bay's south pier lies off Port Access Road. The north pier is accessed from Presque Isle Bay State Park.

SUSQUEHANNA RIVER
Channel cats can be found throughout the Susquehanna River, drainage, including the North and West branches. The best action, however, may be found in the river's main stem.

When the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission electro-shocked the river in the Marietta area last year -- during research focused on smallmouth bass -- it found good numbers of channel cats. In addition to forktails, fisheries personnel also collected a dozen flatheads ranging in size from 16 to 31 inches. Seven other shovelheads were seen, but not captured.

Quality catfishing is available across the state in a variety of venues. Flatheads and channel catfish are found in many of the Keystone State's major rivers.

Access to this portion of the Susquehanna, which lies in Lancaster County, is good. The Fish and Boat Commission has a nice ramp in Marietta. East Donegal Township has a ramp in its riverside park off Route 441.

BLUE MARSH LAKE
The 1,150-acre Blue Marsh Lake is a worthy destination for catfish anglers. Just ask James R. Shabrach Jr. of Boyertown, who recently caught the new state record -- a 48-pound, 6-ounce flathead -- at Blue Marsh spillway.