Full Day Catfish Fishing Trip on Milford Lake
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Full 8hour guided catfish trip on Milford LakeTarget blue catfish, flathead catfish, and seasonal walleyeAll equipment, bait, and tackle provided aboard SeaArk boat
Looking for a serious day of catfish action? Guide Merlyn's got you covered with this top-rated 8-hour adventure on Milford Lake. This isn't your typical half-day rush job – we're talking about a proper full day where you'll have time to really dial in on those monster blue cats and flatheads that call these waters home. Whether you're bringing the family for their first taste of catfishing or you're a seasoned angler wanting to put some serious time on the water, this trip delivers. We'll cruise the lake's most productive structure in a spacious SeaArk Pro Cat 240, giving everyone plenty of room to fish comfortably while Merlyn shares his years of local knowledge.
Your day kicks off at either 8 AM or 1 PM, depending on what works best for your schedule. Merlyn runs these trips with a maximum of two guests, so you're getting that personal attention that makes all the difference when you're learning new techniques or trying to land your personal best. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is we're not watching the clock – if the fish are biting in one spot, we can stay put and capitalize. If they're not cooperating, we've got time to move around and find where they're holding. Milford Lake covers over 15,000 acres, and Merlyn knows every creek channel, timber pile, and rocky point that holds cats. You'll spend the day learning to read structure, understanding seasonal patterns, and getting hands-on instruction that'll make you a better angler long after the trip ends. The SeaArk Pro Cat 240 is built for this kind of fishing – stable, roomy, and equipped with everything needed to handle big fish comfortably.
Catfish aren't complicated, but they do require the right approach. Merlyn comes loaded with heavy action rods and reels that can handle the brutal runs these fish are famous for. We're talking about circle hooks, slip sinkers, and fresh bait that gets changed out regularly throughout the day. Depending on what's working, you might be fishing cut shad along deep channel edges for blues, or switching to live bluegill near timber for flatheads. The technique changes with the season and conditions – summer might have us fishing deeper structure during the heat of the day, while spring and fall can be phenomenal in the shallows. You'll learn proper hook sets with circle hooks, how to fight big cats without breaking them off, and the art of reading your rod tip for those subtle bites that separate successful catfish anglers from the rest. All tackle, bait, rods, and reels are included, so you just need to show up with your Kansas fishing license, some snacks, and drinks for the day.
White catfish might not get the same respect as their bigger cousins, but they're scrappy fighters that'll keep your rod bent throughout the day. These guys typically run 1-3 pounds in Milford Lake and they're aggressive feeders, making them perfect for beginners or when you want consistent action. They school up in deeper water during summer and move shallow in spring and fall. What makes whites special is their willingness to bite during the day when blues and flatheads might be more finicky.
Blue catfish are the true prize of Milford Lake, with fish pushing 20-40 pounds not uncommon and monsters over 50 pounds caught every season. These fish are pure muscle – they'll make screaming runs that'll test your drag and your nerves. Blues love deep structure, channel edges, and areas with current flow. They're most active during low light periods but a good guide knows how to find them during the day. The fight is what keeps anglers coming back – blues don't give up easy and they'll use every trick in the book to break you off.
Flathead catfish are the ultimate predator in these waters, and hooking into a big flathead is something you'll never forget. These fish can live over 20 years and grow massive – 30 to 50 pounders are the fish of a lifetime for most anglers. Flatheads prefer live bait and structure-rich areas with plenty of cover. They're ambush predators, so when they hit, it's usually violent and sudden. The best flathead fishing happens from late spring through early fall, and these fish are most active during twilight hours. What makes them special is their intelligence – they're harder to fool than other cats, making each hookup that much more rewarding.
This world-class catfish experience books up fast, especially during prime season when the bite is hot. Eight hours with Guide Merlyn means you're getting the best shot at multiple species, learning techniques that'll last a lifetime, and creating memories on one of Kansas's premier catfish destinations. The trip includes everything except your license and personal items – Merlyn's got the tackle, bait, and local knowledge covered. Whether you're after your first catfish or your biggest, this customer favorite delivers the goods. The SeaArk Pro Cat 240 is comfortable enough for a full day, and with only two anglers maximum, you're guaranteed personal attention and plenty of space to fish. Don't wait – the best dates get snatched up quickly, and you don't want to miss out on what could be your best day of catfishing ever.
You'll be fishing from a tournament-grade SeaArk ProCat 240 that's built to handle whatever Milford Lake throws at you. This 24-footer cuts through chop with its all-welded aluminum hull while the 200HP Suzuki gets you to the catfish holes fast. The massive 80-gallon livewell keeps your blue cats and flatheads happy, and the walk-thru windshield makes moving around easy when you're fighting fish. At 45 knots, we can cover serious water to find where the big cats are feeding. The stable platform gives you solid footing whether you're setting hooks or landing trophy fish, and there's plenty of room for two anglers to fish comfortably without getting lines tangled.
Ictalurus FurcatusBlue cats are the giants of Milford Lake and the biggest catfish species in North America. These slate-blue bruisers average 25-46 inches and can hit 80+ pounds. You'll find them in deeper holes and channels, especially around structure where they ambush baitfish. They're opportunistic hunters that eat almost anything - crawfish, shad, even other catfish. What guests love most is the fight these fish put up and the quality eating afterwards. Blues are active year-round but really turn on during warmer months when baitfish are schooling. They prefer fresh-cut bait like herring or shad that bleeds scent into the water. My best tip: let your bait hit bottom and stay patient. When you feel those first couple nibbles, wait for a solid hookset before reeling. Bring good gloves - they're slimy and strong.
Pylodictis OlivarisFlatheads are the heavyweights that make this trip memorable - these olive-colored giants can reach 3-4 feet and over 100 pounds. Unlike other catfish, flatheads want their dinner alive and kicking, so we use live bluegill, perch, or small channel cats as bait. They lurk in deep pools and around submerged timber during the day, becoming active hunters at dusk. The meat quality is outstanding - many consider it the best-tasting catfish. Guests love the challenge because these fish are smart and strong fighters. They're most active in warmer water from late spring through early fall. My local trick is targeting deeper holes near creek channels with live bait on heavy tackle - at least 50-pound test line. When you hook one, be ready for a long battle. These fish have serious pulling power and won't give up easy.
Ameiurus CatusWhite catfish are the smallest of our North American cats, usually running half a pound to 2 pounds, though occasionally we'll land one pushing 10 pounds. They're gray-blue on top with white bellies and distinguishing white chin barbels. These bottom feeders hang around muddy areas looking for insects, small fish, and crustaceans. What makes them special is they're more active during daylight hours compared to other catfish species. They're considered pretty rare by most anglers, which makes catching one feel like finding a prize. The meat is excellent table fare too. My go-to trick is using fresh nightcrawlers or chicken liver on a simple bottom rig in 8-15 feet of water near drop-offs. Let it sit still on the bottom rather than moving it around - they'll find it.
Milford Lake