Category: General

Lake Thunderbird (near Norman, OK) offers solid bank fishing for catfish if you come prepared with the right bait and local knowledge. One key is catching shad for fresh bait and knowing when and where catfish feed. Below we cover prime spots to net shad from shore, the best times/seasons to fish, effective catfish baits and rigs, local regulations, and extra tips for success.

Prime Spots for Netting Shad from the Bank

(Photos Hooks and Line – Nets & More) Using a cast net from the bank can quickly secure live shad for bait. Gizzard shad are the favored baitfish for Lake Thunderbird’s catfish, and they often gather in predictable shoreline areas. Key spots to look for include:

• Dam Riprap – The rocky dam area attracts shad, especially during the spring spawn at dawn. Once water temperatures reach ~70°F in mid-spring, shad will run up along riprap banks to spawn (you may even see them flipping on the surface). Early morning on the dam’s bank can yield shad with a well-timed cast net.
• Coves & Creek Mouths – Shallow coves and the mouths of creeks (e.g. Little River or Hog Creek arms) are natural shad magnets. Inflowing water brings nutrients and plankton, drawing shad schools into those areas. Also target wind-blown coves; a steady breeze pushing into a shoreline concentrates plankton and shad along that bank.
• Fishing Piers & Marinas – Lake Thunderbird has fishing docks (such as the covered pier in Clear Bay/Fisherman’s Point) and marinas (e.g. Little River Marina). Shad are attracted to lights at night, so after dark or predawn around lit docks can be prime for cast-netting shad. The calm coves near these structures often hold schools of bait right under your nose.

When casting your net, watch for surface flickers or fleeing shad – signs a school is present. In warm months, shad roam the shallows at first and last light. In cooler seasons, they school up in deeper water (making bank netting tough). Safety tip: Check the area for underwater snags before throwing your net, and use a heavier net (with 3/8-inch mesh max) so it sinks faster – shad can outrun a slow-sinking net in clear water. An Oklahoma fishing license is required to cast net for shad as bait, but Thunderbird is not a “Close to Home” city lake, so cast nets are allowed here (unlike certain city parks where they’re banned).

Best Times and Seasons for Shad & Catfish

Shad are most abundant and easiest to catch in late spring through summer. During the shad spawn (typically mid-April into May), thousands of shad crowd shallow shorelines at dawn when water temps hit the high 60s°F. This is a prime window to fill your bait bucket. Outside of the spawn, summer shad still feed in shallow coves at sunrise and sunset. At night, they may gather near lit areas. In winter, shad retreat to deeper water, so bank anglers will have a harder time netting them (many switch to store-bought or frozen bait in the coldest months).

Catfish (channels, blues, and flatheads) can be caught year-round at Lake Thunderbird, but their patterns shift with the seasons:

• Spring (Apr–May): Pre-spawn catfish feed aggressively in warming shallows. Channels often cruise the dam riprap and creek channels in late April and May, gorging on bait – many anglers have fast action fishing near the dam during this period. Morning and evening are best as cats move in shallow to feed. As water hits ~75°F by late May, catfish begin spawning; they may be in holes or under rocks and less interested in biting for a couple weeks.
• Summer (Jun–Aug): The heat drives catfish deeper by day and into channels or shaded areas. Night fishing becomes most productive. After dusk, catfish (especially channels and blues) come into the same shallow flats and shorelines to hunt that were too hot by day. Many local anglers report best success before 11 a.m. or well after sundown, with a lull during midday heat. A calm, warm night can have fish actively feeding in 2–5 feet of water. Overnight into dawn is prime, as shown by outings where anglers set lines at midnight and had fish hitting by 5 a.m. in calm conditions. During daylight, target deeper drops or fish under a float in 6–15 feet.
• Fall (Sep–Oct): As temperatures moderate, catfish remain active. They often chase shad in coves and creek mouths as baitfish school up for fall. Evening bites pick up with cooling water, and early fall can fish much like spring. Windy days in fall can spur feeding near windward banks.
• Winter (Nov–Feb): Cold water slows the action, but Thunderbird’s blues and channels can still bite, especially on warmer afternoons or during stable weather. They’ll be in deeper holes or channels. Bank anglers might do better focusing on any warm-water discharges or the deepest accessible areas near the dam. Downsizing bait (small cut pieces or shad guts) and fishing slower can still yield a few cats in winter. However, overall activity and shallow presence is lowest now – be patient and bundle up if you give it a go.

Time of day: Regardless of season, dawn and dusk are consistently good times for catfish on the bank. In spring, summer, and fall, catfish commonly patrol close to the bank at first light and again after sunset. Night fishing is particularly effective in summer – many big cats are caught well after midnight. If fishing mid-day, try deeper water or heavy cover and expect a slower pace. Catfish have poor eyesight and rely on smell/taste, so darkness doesn’t bother them at all; if anything, they’re bolder at night.

Effective Baits and Rigs for Catfish

Using the right bait – ideally fresh shad – will dramatically improve your catfishing success. Lake Thunderbird’s catfish primarily feed on shad and other forage, so natural baits with strong scent work best. Here are top baits and recommended rigs:

Best Catfish Baits:

• Fresh Cut Shad: The number one bait for blue and channel catfish. Catch some shad with a cast net and cut them into chunks or fillets. The oily scent trail drives catfish crazy. In fact, blue catfish prefer shad over most other foods. Many local anglers agree “fresh shad is always the best bait” for Thunderbird cats. Use cut shad on a hook either on bottom or suspended just off bottom to tempt cruising catfish. If shad are smaller threadfin, you can use whole dead shad or live shad as well.
• Punch Baits & Stinkbaits: Prepared smelly baits (cheese bait, blood bait, etc.) in a jar can be very effective, especially for channel catfish. These doughy or fiber baits are designed to cling to a treble hook or tube. Channels are opportunistic and readily bite stinky prepared baits. One local angler notes he primarily uses fresh shad but will “occasionally try punch baits, chicken liver, and even Magic Bait” when catfishing. These baits work best in warmer water when scent disperses well. Use a small treble hook and a slip-sinker rig (or fixed sinker) to keep the bait on bottom.
• Chicken Liver & Nightcrawlers: Old standbys that can still catch channels and the occasional blue. Chicken livers put out a blood scent; wrap them with thread or bait mesh to keep on the hook during casting. Nightcrawlers will attract eating-size channel cats, bullheads, and even other species – a good option if you just want bites. These are ideal for a simple bobber or bottom rig when fishing near shore for smaller catfish.
• Live Bait (Bluegill, Shad): For targeting trophy flathead catfish (and big blues), live bait is king. Small live bluegill or green sunfish (4 inches or so) hooked through the back or lips on a stout hook can entice flatheads. Flathead catfish love live sunfish and are rarely caught on anything else. If using live bait, gear up accordingly (see rigs below) and fish near cover/structure at night. Large live shad can also tempt big blues. (Note: Sunfish can be used as bait in Oklahoma if caught legally by rod-and-reel and counted toward your daily limit. No game fish can be taken by cast net.)

Catfish Rigs:

• Slip-Sinker “Carolina” Rig: This versatile rig is a go-to for catfishing on the bank. It consists of an egg sinker that slides on your main line, followed by a bead (optional) and a swivel. To the swivel, attach a leader (1–2 feet) and your hook. This setup lets a catfish pick up the bait without immediately feeling the weight. It’s great for fishing cut bait or live bait on the bottom. Use just enough weight to hold bottom (1 oz is common; up to 2-3 oz if needed for distance or wind). For hooks, circle hooks (3/0 to 8/0 size, depending on bait/fish size) are highly effective – they tend to hook the fish in the corner of the mouth as the fish moves off with the bait. Don’t jerk to set a circle hook; just reel up when you feel a strong pull.
• Float or Bobber Rig: When fishing around shallow structure or to keep bait off a snaggy bottom, a slip bobber rig can be excellent. You can suspend a bait at a set depth (for example, 3–4 feet above bottom) and let it drift near cover or over submerged brush. Another variation is the Santee Cooper rig, which is essentially a slip-sinker rig with a peg float on the leader to lift the bait slightly off bottom – good for blues in lakes. The Oklahoma Wildlife Department suggests suspending bait a few feet above a weight on bottom for channels/blues, or adding a float above the bait to keep it just off the lake bed (Catfish Angler Guide: Top Tips & Area Highlights | ODWC). This can increase visibility/scent spread and reduce hang-ups.
• Heavy Cover Rig (Flathead setup): If you’re after flatheads in timber or rocks, beef up your rig. Use a strong baitcasting setup with 40–80 lb line and a large hook (up to 8/0 circle hook). A basic rig is a fixed or sliding sinker (1 oz or more) above a heavy swivel and 1–2 ft of 50+ lb leader to your hook. Live bait is hooked securely (through the lips or just behind the dorsal fin). Cast into woody cover and be ready – you may need to pull big fish quickly to prevent them snagging up. This is essentially a stout version of the slip-sinker rig, optimized for not letting a giant flathead wrap you up in a submerged logjam.

Local Regulations for Shad Netting & Catfishing

Before you start casting nets or setting hooks, be aware of Oklahoma’s fishing regulations (and any lake-specific rules):

• Cast Netting Shad: In Oklahoma, cast nets (with mesh up to 3/8-inch) are legal for catching nongame fish like shad for personal bait use. Lake Thunderbird is a public lake where cast net use is permitted (the ban on cast nets applies only to certain city lakes and wildlife management areas, which do not include Thunderbird). You still need a state fishing license to use a cast net. There is no daily limit on shad numbers in lakes, but you may possess no more than 200 shad at a time (and selling or transporting them out of state is illegal). These high limits ensure anglers can catch plenty of bait but prevent overharvest for commercial purposes. Practically, a few dozen fresh shad is more than enough for a day’s fishing. Always release any game fish caught in the net (e.g. little sunfish or baby sportfish) – it’s unlawful to keep game fish caught by net.
• Catfish Limits: Statewide, you can keep up to 15 channel/blue catfish (combined) per day, with only one blue catfish over 30 inches allowed in that limit. Flathead catfish have a daily limit of 5 per day. These limits apply at Lake Thunderbird. There is no minimum size for channels or flatheads, but for blue catfish you’re limited to one “trophy” above 30″ (which protects larger breeding-size blues). Check the latest Oklahoma Fishing Regulations booklet each year in case limits change or any special lake regulations are added.
• Rods and Methods: Lake Thunderbird falls under general statewide rules for methods – you may fish with up to 7 rods at once per person (the state’s default limit), since no special rod restriction is listed for this lake (Method of Take – Oklahoma Fishing – eRegulations). (Using multiple rods can be useful to cover different areas or baits, but always maintain control of them – unattended lines must be checked at least every 24 hours by law.) Juglines, trotlines, and limb lines are allowed with proper labeling and within limits, but if you’re strictly bank fishing with rod-and-reel, those probably aren’t in play. Noodling (hand fishing) is legal in Oklahoma during summer but not practical at Thunderbird’s shoreline for most. Bowfishing for nongame fish (like carp or gar) is permitted and sometimes folks bowfish for gar or carp at T-Bird, but that’s separate from catfishing.
• State Park Rules: Lake Thunderbird is a State Park, so general park rules apply. Notably, the park now requires a parking pass for vehicles. Make sure you purchase a day-use pass or have an annual pass to avoid a fine. Also, camping is allowed only in designated areas; you can fish 24/7 but don’t set up a backcountry camp along the bank without checking park guidelines. Keep the area clean – use the trash bins provided. Consuming alcohol in public areas of the park is prohibited. Finally, observe any posted signs regarding restricted areas (some zones near the dam or water intake might be off-limits to fishing – if unsure, ask a park ranger or check the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation site for any Thunderbird-specific notes).

Additional Tips for Successful Bank Fishing

• Fish the Right Spots at the Right Times: As noted, timing and location are crucial. Focus your efforts during low-light periods (evening, night, early morning) when catfish move shallow. If you’re set on a daytime trip, try deeper water access like the dam or drop-offs and consider using a longer rod to cast further out. Don’t hesitate to move if you aren’t getting bites – sometimes a short move to a nearby point or cove makes a big difference. Pay attention to where the wind is blowing; a windward bank often produces more activity as it concentrates baitfish. Also, if you notice lots of surface action (shad flickering, or gamefish busting them), get a bait in that vicinity. Conversely, if you catch a couple catfish, note the time and pattern – catfish often bunch up, and you might find a “honey hole” to return to under similar conditions.
• Gear Up for Bank Fishing: Use tackle that can handle big fish and tough conditions. A medium-heavy to heavy rod around 7–9 feet helps with long casts and controlling hard-fighting catfish. A sturdy spinning or baitcasting reel with a good drag and 15–30 lb line (mono or braid) is standard. Many locals opt for 20 lb monofilament or 50+ lb braid with a mono leader. Bank fishing often means dealing with rocks, timber, or vegetation, so abrasion-resistant line and a bit of muscle can prevent break-offs. Bring rod holders or sand spikes to prop up your rods securely – catfish bites can yank a rod into the lake surprisingly fast! If fishing at night, attach a glow stick or bell to your rod tip, or use a baitfeeder reel so a big cat can run without dragging your gear in. A headlamp or lantern is essential for rebaiting and landing fish after dark. A large landing net is highly recommended for big cats on a steep bank or rocks.
• Bait Management: Keep your bait fresh and appealing. If you netted shad, use them promptly – shad die quickly and get soft. Store live shad in a bucket with an aerator, or put dead shad on ice to keep them fresh. Cut bait releases more scent when fresh; change out pieces if they’ve been soaking a long time with no takers. For prepared stinkbaits, keep the lid on between uses so they don’t dry out. It’s a good strategy to bring a variety of baits (for example: cut shad, a jar of punch bait, and some nightcrawlers) to see what the catfish prefer that day. Also, don’t oversize your bait for channels – a piece the size of a large marble is plenty for eating-size cats. For blues, a larger chunk or whole 3–4″ shad is fine. And remember to securely hook baits so they don’t fling off during casting (especially liver or cut bait – use a bait thread or elastic if needed).
• Stay Comfortable & Safe: Bank fishing often means trekking through brush or along muddy shorelines. Wear appropriate footwear (boots or sturdy shoes). In summer, a lot of the shoreline vegetation can be thick and “rife with ticks”, as one angler warned – so use insect repellent and check yourself after. Watch for snakes in warmer months near rocks and logs (most are non-venomous water snakes, but it’s good to stay aware). If you fish at night, go with a buddy or at least let someone know where you are – the park is large and dark after hours. A portable chair can make those waiting periods comfortable, and bring along water, snacks, and a first-aid kit (bank fishing can involve minor cuts or bug bites). Lastly, please carry out all your trash. It only takes one careless fisherman to litter a spot with bait containers or fishing line and ruin the experience for others (and harm wildlife). Keep Lake Thunderbird’s shores clean and enjoyable for everyone.
• Observe and Adapt: Successful catfishing from the bank often comes down to paying attention to what the fish are doing. If you’re not catching anything, try changing something: the depth (add a float or adjust leader length), the location (move 50 yards down the bank or to the next point), the bait (switch from liver to cut shad, etc.), or the timing (if evening was slow, try pre-dawn). Talk to local anglers you meet – many will share if the catfish are biting better on one side of the lake or if the shad are back in a certain cove. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife’s fish attractor program has placed brush piles in some areas of Thunderbird, which can draw baitfish and crappie (and thus predators like catfish). These spots (often near fishing piers or points) might be worth targeting – a sonar map from ODWC or their mobile app can show attractor locations. By staying flexible and learning from each trip, you’ll dial in what works best at “Dirtybird.”

With the right approach, bank fishing at Lake Thunderbird can yield quality catfish and a fun time outdoors. Catch some shad, set up your catfish rigs during the prime hours, and be patient. Soon you could be wrestling a feisty channel cat or a big blue out of the red Oklahoma mud waters. Good luck and happy fishing – and remember, fresh bait and perseverance are key to catfishing success at Thunderbird!

Sources: Lake Thunderbird fishing insights; Oklahoma Wildlife Dept. regulations; Catfish bait and rigging tips; Local angler reports and advice.