What lure/bait should i use when fishing for catfish in a creek or pond?

As mentioned a Catfish will very very rarely ever go for any kind of lure. These guys feed primarily by smell. not sight. Thats why most catfish bait will have a heavy smell to it. There is one little tube lure sold at wal mart made for catfish. Its a dome shaped plastic lure, you buy some Catfish "stink bait" and squirt it in the lure itself. Im not a big Catfisherman but I believe this bait is made more for fishing running water like in rivers and creeks but I'd imagine you could fish it very very slow in a pond and pull something out. You're best bet will be to get you some Chicken Livers or catch you a few bluegills and cut them into a few pieces. Both of these are very effective and easy. You can tie you up a simple hook with a good sized weight about a foot up the line and be done with it. I prefer fishing on the bottom with no floater. The only problem you may run into is having trouble keeping chicken liver on your hook when you cast. If you do have trouble keeping it on your hook go find some kind of thread material and wrap the chicken liver on the hook. I've even seen people use dental floss and do just fine, very simple but very effective.

As already stated hotdogs and chicken livers are excellent baits for channel cats and bullheads. Anything stinky i find. Fish the shallows at night using stinky baits like that. Contrary to popular belief you most certainly can catch catfish on lures... i have had most of my success using silver spoons and silver inline spinner blades (like rooster tails) during the afternoon/evening running them close to or under cover like logs or rocks.

I have always done well on hot dogs, chicken liver, and night crawlers. Live bait fish like shad would also do well, especially if you are going larger catfish like blue and flathead catfish. However, chances are your not going to find blue and flathead catfish if your fishing in small ponds or streams, so do not stress about finding these. There are also some commercial baits that work. Anchovies, mackerel , and sardines can also do well on these fish. As for lures, catfish rarely bite lures, so I would just stick with bait. Hope this helps!!!

Go net some gizzard shad, that is the catfish's favorite food. Or get some chicken liver from the grocery store.

use a mousefish XD sorry, I couldn't resist.