When and how sould I fish for cat fish and what bait should I use

Catfish usually start to actively feed when the water temperatures begin to warm in the spring.  Water temperatures rising to 50 F and above is the rule of thumb I like to use for catfish fishing.  One of the great things about catfish is, they aren't too picky when in comes to bait.  Anything that smells bad (parts of nongame fish, chicken livers, pickeled hering, etc.) usually makes great bait.  Worms work well, too.  Make sure you fish the bottom of the river in low velocity areas.