Cats do so very well in such a wide geographic range because they can adjust to conditions and spawn when they feel it the best bet going.

Water levels, temp, and flow has a major effect on when they spawn. If they feel it's as good as it's going to get, even in the low 50's, they get to it. They also adapt fast to spawning habitat changes, they use cattail clusters, holes, stumps, tires, cans, undercut banks, cars, ....whatever they find to get there love crib on.

They have a wide temp range to work with (51 - 70's)) and in our central region may spawn as early as May, and as late as July. The most common time frame for Channels is the 3rd week in June.

I have kept records back some 25 years, and on average, the 2nd to 3rd weeks in June will find males on the nest....and fish'n tough as heck.

The nest sitting lasts 11 to 14 days +/-. You find females and juveniles back on the chow quickest. Males come off the nest looking like they been through a tough deal, skinny, scared up from nesting territorial battles, and hungry.

Male channel cats are dedicated Daddies, and stay tight to the nest without feeding so they need to make up for lost body weight post spawn.

From that point on tell ice-up, it's eat'n as usual for Mr & Miss whiskers.

Nice info! Um, can I look at your records sometime. I could use the help.

I fish from the backyard at the cabin, not my house in Fridley.

Either way, it has to be heaven.

It is!!!