I hope to be able to tell you the times for catching Big Catfish. You can catch fish during other times, but we're after those big ones the fish who put that big bend in your pole.
The best time of year is the prespawn period, in the spring. This is the best time for fishing no matter what species your after and catfish are no different. The prespawn starts roughly one month before the actual spawn and this is when those big ones just go nuts coming up into the shallows at night to feed on bait fish. This can be the most exciting time of the whole fishing year and your best chance of landing that Monster you've been dreaming about.
The best time in the period of a 24 day is the time right before dark through and exceeding midnight, that's right your going to make a night of it. The channel cat will bite just about any time, but that elusive Flathead the rod busters love the night I call them the Dark Prowler inhaling your bait with the use of stealth. Since you'll be ought there pour yourself a cup of coffee sit back and enjoy the outdoors and remember try to keep the light from lanterns done to a bear minimum. Flatheads don't like the light and don't need it to catch their meals. Be ready for the heart pounding excitement these fish are pure muscle. You can try the early morning be there by the time the sun risizes, after that when it's light fish the heavy snags "remember Catfish like the dark"
I am certain that these tips will help anyone starting out in Catfishing.