keep in mind too that these are just the stocking efforts from 2007. the dnr website stocking info. on channel cats goes back as far as 1998.

Well it was proved today that there are "Metro Cats" to be caught.

Now it's time for a little fine tuning.

I'm gonna try out a couple of the lakes I've caught them during open water soon. Gave it shot a couple times last winter and ended up finding a bunch of crappies and just decided 2 stay put in the shack during some not so nice conditions. That would be something to pull a 10 lbs+ channel thru the ice without really having to leave town.

Just a note that Lake George in Stearns County is not open to ice fishing. Unless it's a different Lake George than the one in the middle of St Cloud. The city parks uses it for public ice stating.

odd that they would stock it then?

Thanks for the heads up Borch

You can open-water fish it. I had heard that they were using channels to help control the stunted pannies and bullheads in Lake George.

nah, he just wants to keep it all to himself.

Naw... I've got a few other spots that are ... well,not as busy.

Hou dogg 13lbs

Thats a NICE channel there!

Nice fish.

I just wrapped up reading more about cats than I've ever read about any other species. I tell ya, I'll have to add these guys to my targeted list

One question that I have and didn't read about is what time is most active during ice fishing? Is it the same as open water? Also, for channels, does it matter if its morning, mid day or evening? Or is it all the same?

I look forward to icing my first winter channel! I've only caught 1 cat, and it was inches long, so I have a LONG way to go

that would be AWESOME to pull threw...through ..whatever the ICe ...

Im with Dave on this, as said with the other post that got split, I wanna ice one this year!!

I think that one falls into the "one over 24 inches" category.

After work I plan on getting out to Crooked Lake near coon rapids and target some cats. Anyone have any pointers (even if they aren't for this lake in particular) ? I have never fished this lake or for cats in the winter, so hopefully I can ice one. Feel free to email me if you prefer that, Thanks!