![Huge Catfish Caught During ‘Noodling’ Outing at Toledo Bend](http://townsquare.media/site/180/files/2021/07/attachment-Catfish1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Huge Catfish Caught During ‘Noodling’ Outing at Toledo Bend
Have you ever heard of "noodling"? It is a very unique way of fishing with your bare hands.
During a recent outing on Toledo Bend, Russell Smith of Florien, Louisiana snagged a 41-pound female catfish during the spawn. This has to hurt. I can only imagine. You will never find me noodling. I promise you. No noodling.
But it is quite popular in these parts. To become a great noodler, you have to learn how to find catfish holes. Then you stick your hand in these holes and wait for the catfish to bite your hand. And yes this does hurt.
But you can catch some pretty big fish.
Noodling is illegal in many states because these fish will bite anything and they will bite hard. You can lose fingers taking part in this hobby.
In fact, noodling is only legal in 14 states. There are also restrictions in many of the states with regard to the size and species of fish you can catch while noodling.
Here are the states where it's legal to noodle:
Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Toledo Bend Reservoir is known across the globe for bass fishing, but it is also known by many anglers for catfish noodling. Many say this is the most exciting and dangerous way of catching monster catfish at Toledo Bend.
Best Places to Hunt for Bigfoot in Northwest Louisiana
Look: How Shreveport-Bossier Has Changed from 2007 to Now
More From News Talk 96.5 KPEL
![WATCH: Would This Viral ‘Texas Gumbo’ Pass a South Louisiana Inspection?](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2023/12/attachment-Texas-Gumbo-Pepper-Belly-Pete.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Breaux Bridge Man Drowns After Car Plunges into Pond](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2024/07/attachment-Untitled-design-16-copy.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Louisiana to be Prominently Featured at Republican National Convention](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2024/07/attachment-RNC-LOGO.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Left Lane Open, but Miles of Congestion on I-10 in Crowley After Tractor-Trailer Overturns](http://townsquare.media/site/29/files/2023/01/attachment-DOTD-Accident-crash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Louisiana Drivers Pay More for Auto Insurance Than 48 Other States](http://townsquare.media/site/180/files/2020/09/traffic-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Louisiana Man Indicted On 7 Counts in Murder, Kidnapping Case](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2024/07/attachment-Screenshot-2024-07-12-at-4.10.22-PM.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Viral ‘Boudin’ Recipe Should Have All of South Louisiana Outraged](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2022/08/attachment-boudin-ball.jpeg?w=980&q=75)
![Louisiana’s Culinary Gems: Specialty Meats Revealed](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2010/12/Meat-Getty.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Lafayette Police Seek Public’s Help in Identifying iPad Theft Suspect](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2024/07/attachment-Untitled-design-2024-07-15T194605.280.jpg?w=980&q=75)