Blue cat, channel cat, and flathead. This is a real catfish river — and the stretch near Coleman's is one of the most productive on the upper Trinity. Here's exactly how to fish it.
The Trinity River near Midway isn't a delicate clear-water fishery — it's a muddy, powerful, classic East Texas bottom-land river. That's exactly what catfish want. Deep bends with soft bottoms, cut banks that collapse into the current, logjams that hold cool water on summer afternoons, and creek inflows that funnel bait and nutrients into the main channel year-round.
For catfish, this is prime real estate. Blue cats and channel cats are the bread-and-butter species here — catchable on any night, any season, by anglers who understand the basic patterns. Flatheads are the trophy species, less common, harder to target, but genuinely large fish that reward patience and heavy tackle.
Blues are the big-fish target on this stretch. They cruise the main channel and the deep outside bends, hunting current seams and ledges. A falling river after a rain event is arguably the best single condition you can find — blues go on a serious feed when the water drops and clears slightly after a rise. Fall through early winter is the trophy window; fish in the 20–40 lb range become more predictable as water cools and they bulk up for winter.
Channel cats are the most accessible catfish on the Trinity — willing biters on a wide range of baits, found throughout the river from shallow flats to deep holes. They're active at night and in low light. The first two hours after dark in summer is the single most productive window on this fishery. Don't sit there soaking bait in bright afternoon sun and wonder why they're not biting.
Flatheads are ambush predators, not scavengers. They don't want stink bait — they want live fish. Find the biggest logjam, the deepest undercut bank, the darkest hole in the river, and drop a live bream or large perch right into it. That's the flathead program. They're notoriously hard to pattern, but when you connect with one in the 30–50 lb class on 50 lb braid, you'll understand why people make special trips for them.
The Trinity is a dynamic river. Water level, clarity, and current all change significantly after rain events, and those changes directly affect where the fish are and whether they're biting. Understanding this is the difference between a 20-fish night and a slow one.
After a rain rise, a slowly falling river triggers a feeding frenzy. Catfish move aggressively into current seams and outside bends. This is your best window — plan around it if you can.
Fish congregate in known holes. Predictable and fishable. Night fishing excels in stable conditions. Deep bends and ledges are your primary targets.
Hard rising water pushes catfish into slack water, backwaters, and bank edges. Not impossible, but difficult. Fish slow eddies and protected banks rather than main channel.
Check the USGS Texas streamflow gauge before your trip. The Trinity at Riverside gauge is the closest reference point to Midway.
The Trinity near Midway is popular for traditional catfishing methods — and legally, juglines and trotlines are permitted in Texas freshwater with the right license. Here's what you need to know:
Always verify current device rules at TPWD Legal Devices for Fish. Rules can change season to season.
Blue catfish and flathead catfish from the Trinity River in this area carry a consumption advisory. Adults should eat no more than one meal per month of these species. Women of childbearing age and children under 12 should not eat blue or flathead catfish from these waters. Read the full advisory before keeping any fish.
| Species | Daily Bag | Minimum Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Catfish | 25 combined with channel | None stated | Only 10 fish may be ≥20 inches |
| Channel Catfish | 25 combined with blue | None stated | Only 10 fish may be ≥20 inches |
| Flathead Catfish | 5 | 18 inches | Separate from blue/channel count |
Regulations valid for Trinity River main stem at Midway under TPWD rules Sept 1, 2025–Aug 31, 2026. Verify at TPWD Trinity River special regs. Rules can change — always check before fishing.
Book a cabin or RV site and walk to the ramp before first light. Boat ramp access included with every overnight stay.
Current stage, water temp, and fishing outlook — updated every 15 min from USGS data.