Best catfish lakes in the Northeast: 11 lakes to fish

The lakes

1. Allegheny Reservoir (Kinzua Lake), Pennsylvania

Allegheny Reservoir (Kinzua Lake) covers some 12,100 acres. The lake is near Randolph. It is the Allegheny River behind Kinzua Dam. Expect catfish, walleye, muskie and trout. At about 130 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. Allegheny Reservoir is impounded by Kinzua Dam, one of the largest dams east of the Mississippi River, and is surrounded by the Allegheny National Forest.

Allegheny Reservoir (Kinzua Lake) today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Chautauqua Lake, New York

At 13,400 acres, Chautauqua Lake is a big lake. It lies next to Lakewood. Expect catfish, walleye, muskie and largemouth bass. At about 44 ft at its deepest, it warms quickly in spring. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and an upper arm worth a first look. Chautauqua Lake drains south via the Chadakoin River toward the Allegheny River rather than toward the Great Lakes.

Chautauqua Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Shenango River Lake, Pennsylvania

Shenango River Lake spreads over 3,560 acres. It lies next to Sharpsville. It is the Shenango River behind Shenango Dam. Expect catfish, muskie, striped bass and walleye. Shenango River Lake is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood-control reservoir on the Shenango River near the Ohio border.

Shenango River Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Lake Arthur, Pennsylvania

Lake Arthur is a reservoir of some 3,220 acres. The lake is about 1.5 miles southeast of Prospect. It holds catfish, northern pike, largemouth bass and crappie. Lake Arthur is the centerpiece of Moraine State Park and was formed by damming Muddy Creek.

Lake Arthur today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Lake Bomoseen, Vermont

Lake Bomoseen spreads over some 2,400 acres. The lake is near Fair Haven. The fish here are catfish, trout, yellow perch and northern pike. At about 65 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. Lake Bomoseen is the largest lake located entirely within Vermont.

Lake Bomoseen today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Winnisquam Lake, New Hampshire

Winnisquam Lake covers some 4,210 acres. It lies next to Laconia. It holds catfish, trout, lake trout and smallmouth bass. The deepest water is around 155 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. Lake Winnisquam is part of the Winnipesaukee River chain of lakes and offers both warmwater bass and coldwater trout fishing.

Winnisquam Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Round Valley Reservoir, New Jersey

At 2,350 acres, Round Valley Reservoir is small enough to learn in a few trips. You will find it next to Lebanon. The fish here are catfish, lake trout, trout and yellow perch. The deepest water is around 180 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove: good places to start. Round Valley Reservoir is the deepest and, by volume, the largest reservoir in New Jersey. The water is known for being clear: lighter line and natural colours help.

Round Valley Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Spruce Run Reservoir, New Jersey

Spruce Run Reservoir spreads over 1,290 acres. The lake is next to Clinton. The fish here are catfish, trout, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Spruce Run Reservoir is New Jersey's third-largest reservoir and serves as a backup drought-protection water supply.

Spruce Run Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. Merrymeeting Lake, New Hampshire

At some 1,230 acres, Merrymeeting Lake is small enough to learn in a few trips. You will find it near New Durham. It holds catfish, trout, lake trout and smallmouth bass. At about 120 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Merrymeeting Lake is a deep, cold-water lake managed for trout and lake trout.

Merrymeeting Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. Otis Reservoir, Massachusetts

Otis Reservoir is a reservoir of some 1,080 acres. The lake is near Otis. It holds catfish, yellow perch, bluegill and muskie. The deepest water is around 48 ft. Otis Reservoir is the largest body of water in the Berkshires and is stocked with trout.

Otis Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

11. Ossipee Lake, New Hampshire

Ossipee Lake covers some 3,260 acres. The lake is near Freedom. It holds catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and lake trout. The deepest water is around 73 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and an upper arm: good places to start. Ossipee Lake supports both warmwater bass fishing and a coldwater lake trout fishery.

Ossipee Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

Catfish through the year in the Northeast

The water temperature on the day matters more than the calendar: each lake page on LakeScope shows today's surface temperature and how the fish should react to it.

• Spring: Waking up. Channels and creek mouths, especially after rain.
• Summer: Active. Evenings and nights are best.
• Fall: Waking up. Channels and creek mouths, especially after rain.
• Winter: Cold. Slow, in the deepest holes. Cut bait works best.