Carp & Catfish Fishing

If you’re fishing in Southern Ontario, you’re in luck. Catfish are plentiful in many lakes and rivers close to home. Some of the best spots include the Grand River, Thames River, Lake St. Clair, and Bay of Quinte, all known for trophy-sized Channel Catfish. These bottom feeders love slow-moving, muddy waters with plenty of structure. You’ll often find them near deep holes, bridges, and current breaks, especially during the evening or at night. 

Before heading out, check your local fishing regulations for seasons and size limits. To gear up, visit Angling Sports for specialized catfish tackle, rigs, and heavy-duty rods designed for big fish battles.

You can find a full selection of carp boilies right here at Angling Sports, available both online and in-store in. We stock popular brands such as Carp Zoom, Monster, and Dynamite Baits, offering a variety of flavours, colours, and buoyancies to match your fishing style. Our shelves are packed with everything from pop-ups and wafters to pellets and groundbait.

Carp are intelligent and selective feeders, so using the right bait makes a big difference. The best carp baits include boilies, sweetcorn, pellets, tiger nuts, and dough balls, depending on water temperature and clarity. Many anglers swear by flavoured boilies in scents like scopex, strawberry, and garlic, which release a steady stream of attraction into the water. Carp also love natural offerings like worms or maize. 

At Angling Sports, we carry a wide variety of carp baits, pre-tied rigs, and feeding pellets from trusted brands such as Carp Zoom and Dynamite Baits. Whether you’re new to carp fishing or a seasoned angler, our team can help you choose the perfect bait setup for your local waters.

The best time to target catfish in Ontario is from late spring through early fall, when water temperatures are warm and fish are feeding aggressively. Catfish are most active during the evening and nighttime hours, especially on hot summer nights when they move into shallower areas to hunt for food. Early morning bites can also be productive after a warm night. During the day, look for deeper holes and current breaks where catfish rest.

When it comes to landing big catfish, your gear needs to be strong, reliable, and ready for a fight. A medium-heavy to heavy-action rod around 7–8 feet long offers the power and casting distance you’ll need. Pair it with a durable baitcasting or spinning reel from brands like Okuma, Daiwa, or Shimano, spooled with 30–50 lb braided line for sensitivity and strength. Catfish are powerful bottom dwellers, so solid drag performance is essential.

The slip sinker rig (also known as the Carolina rig) is one of the most reliable catfish setups, allowing your bait to move naturally along the bottom while keeping resistance low. Other effective options include the Santee Cooper rig, three-way rig, and float rig, which can all be customized based on water current and depth. Always use strong terminal tackle and circle hooks to ensure solid hookups and easy releases.

Carp and catfish may both be bottom-feeding species, but the gear for each style of fishing is quite different. Carp fishing focuses on precision, stealth, and presentation, using bait like, hair rigs, boilies, bite alarms, and method feeders. Catfish fishing, on the other hand, requires heavier tackle, stronger rods, and large hooks designed to handle aggressive strikes and powerful runs. Carp anglers often use lighter line and smaller hooks to trick wary fish, while catfish anglers rely on brute strength to battle their catch.