Catfishing in the winter months isn’t just about patience—it’s about strategy. As temperatures drop, catfish leave shallow waters and hunker down in deeper river holes. For anglers ready to brave the cold, understanding how to find river deep holes and read sonar correctly can transform your winter fishing game.
I learned this lesson the hard way during a frigid December trip to the Missouri River. After hours of zero bites, I finally started noticing subtle clues on my sonar that pointed to fish holding in deep eddies. Within an hour, I pulled in two blue cats, both over 25 pounds. That day taught me one thing: winter catfishing is a game of location and interpretation.
Knowing how to find catfish in deep holes and how to properly read your sonar isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. And if you’re looking to gear up for the cold, explore Fishing Gear Shops for winter-ready tools and sonar-friendly tech.
Where Do River Catfish Go in Winter?
When the water turns cold—usually below 50°F—catfish become sluggish and migrate to deeper, slower-moving parts of the river. These deep holes provide the perfect sanctuary, with stable temperatures and protection from fast currents.
These spots typically:
- Are 15–30 feet deep in medium-size rivers.
- Sit on outside bends or near submerged structures.
- Have softer bottoms—mud or silt preferred.
Channel cats, flatheads, and blue cats each behave slightly differently, but all favor depth and cover when the mercury drops.
According to a U.S. Geological Survey report, catfish are more likely to group together in deep holes during winter months, making them easier to target once located. Their metabolism slows down, so they’re not as aggressive—but they’ll still bite when tempted with the right bait in the right spot.
For anglers chasing the elusive cold-water bite, understanding these movement patterns is crucial. Don’t waste time fishing shallow runs. Your best bet? Deep, slow holes with cover like rocks, submerged trees, or bridge pilings.
This is also the time to consider using the best bass lures for summer, even in the colder months, when paired with scent attractants.
How to Identify Deep Holes in Rivers During Winter
Finding deep holes takes a bit of scouting, but it’s far from guesswork when you know what to look for. You can identify deep holes using physical river cues or advanced tools like sonar. Here’s how I’ve done both successfully.
Look for These Physical Clues:
- Outside River Bends: Water pressure scours the outer bank, creating deeper pockets.
- Behind Sandbars or Islands: These spots break the current and form holes on the downstream side.
- Near Dams or Bridges: These areas often have man-made structure that erodes the bottom over time.
- Erosion Cuts: Look for steep riverbanks—these often indicate deep drop-offs below.
Once, while fishing the Cumberland River, I spotted a subtle bend just downstream of a sandbar. Casting around the outer edge with a heavy sinker, I immediately hit bottom faster than expected—classic sign of a deep hole. My instinct was right: that spot produced four nice blues in two hours.
To confirm depth before dropping bait:
- Use a lead sinker and measure line drop manually.
- Check GPS-enabled maps with bathymetric overlays.
Still, the gold standard is sonar. Which leads us to…
Sonar Interpretation 101: Understanding What You’re Seeing
Modern sonar units can be confusing. But when understood correctly, they give you x-ray vision into the river’s secrets. To find winter catfish deep holes, here’s what to focus on:
Key Sonar Settings:
- Sensitivity: Set high enough to show faint returns but not so high that clutter fills the screen.
- Color Palette: Use color sonar if possible—yellow/red often shows strong returns (i.e., fish or structure).
- Scroll Speed: Moderate speed lets you interpret signals more accurately.
What Deep Holes Look Like on Sonar:
- Bowl-Shaped Drops: Gradual slopes followed by sudden depth.
- Flat Bottoms with Dark Blobs: These blobs could be a cluster of catfish.
- Suspended Arches Near Bottom: Fish resting close to structure.
On a cold morning in January, I used a Humminbird Helix to scan a section of the Tennessee River. I saw what looked like a coffee cup-shaped dip with scattered blobs near the center. That turned out to be 12 catfish grouped tightly near the bottom in 25 feet of water.
How to Use Sonar to Find Structure Inside Deep Holes
Not all deep holes are equal. The best ones have structure like:
- Submerged trees or brush piles.
- Sunken boats or old bridge debris.
- Rock ledges or humps.
These give catfish cover and current breaks. Using sonar, structure appears as jagged shapes with hard returns (usually brighter colors). Pay attention to:
- Shadows on down imaging (helpful for spotting logs).
- Ledges or Stair-Steps on side imaging (rocks or drop-offs).
- Suspended Bait Balls: Where bait gathers, predators follow.
Here’s a trick: If you see fish on structure, but no bites, mark the waypoint and return at a different time of day. Catfish often feed in waves, especially during winter afternoons when temps slightly rise.
When you find structure in a deep hole, fish it slowly. Drop baits right next to it and wait longer than usual. Catfish aren’t chasing—they’re ambushing.
Best Practices for Fishing Deep Holes in Cold Water
Now that you’ve found the deep hole and read your sonar right, it’s time to fish it.
Here are some tips for success:
- Use Heavier Sinkers (3–6 oz): To anchor bait right on the bottom.
- Dead Bait Over Live Bait: Winter fish prefer easy meals. Cut shad or skipjack work best.
- Circle Hooks (Size 6/0–8/0): Better for slow bites and catch-and-release.
- Patience Pays: Let the bait sit 15–30 minutes before checking.
- Fish Vertical: Drop straight down instead of casting—reduces drift and keeps bait in the strike zone.
On a frozen morning last year, I dropped cut skipjack straight down 25 feet into a bend on the Ohio River. After 20 minutes, the rod doubled over. It was a 28-pound blue—proof that deep hole winter catfishing pays off when done right.
My Turning Point in Winter Catfishing
A few winters ago, I was struggling to get bites in the Mississippi. Every angler around was coming up short. Then, an old-timer at the ramp told me to “check the outside bend below mile marker 12—there’s a sunken barge down there.”
I scanned the area with my side imaging sonar and saw a massive shadow with tight returns below it. Dropped bait, waited 15 minutes, and BOOM. A 32-pound flathead took the bait and ran.
That trip taught me that winter catfishing isn’t about luck—it’s about learning how to read the river and trust your electronics.
Final Tips: Mistakes to Avoid When Reading Sonar in Winter
Reading sonar in winter is different from summer. Here are common mistakes:
- Mistaking debris for fish: Look for consistency in the shapes.
- Ignoring bottom-hugging signals: Catfish often lie flush to the riverbed in winter.
- Not adjusting contrast and brightness: Low visibility days need sharper screens.
- Overlooking structure: Fish relate more to cover in winter than open water.
Always scan slowly. Spend 70% of your trip looking and 30% fishing. The more confident you are about the spot, the better the chance of landing a big one.
Conclusion
Winter catfishing may seem intimidating, but once you learn how to find deep holes and read sonar correctly, it becomes one of the most rewarding seasons to fish. The quiet, the stillness, and the possibility of hooking a 40-pounder in near silence is unbeatable.
Start by understanding river behavior in the cold, then use sonar to your advantage. When you combine patience with the right tools and tactics, success isn’t a matter of if, but when.
Got a winter catfishing story or tip? Share it in the comments below and help fellow anglers out!
FAQs
What depth do catfish go to in winter?
Catfish often move to depths of 15–30 feet in winter, especially in river bends or near structure.
Can you use sonar to find catfish in cold water?
Yes, sonar helps locate deep holes and fish clustered near the bottom. Use high sensitivity and side/down imaging.
Do catfish bite less in winter?
They bite less aggressively due to slower metabolism, but they still feed—especially during warmer afternoons.
What’s the best bait for winter catfishing?
Dead bait like cut shad or skipjack works best. Catfish prefer easy meals during the cold season.
Are all deep holes good for winter catfish?
Not always. The best deep holes have slow current and structure like rocks or submerged trees.
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