Ready to check off one of the most epic bucket list adventures? Join us for an unforgettable weekend of catfish noodling in Cadiz, Kentucky! This unique experience will have you swimming into the river, reaching into specially designed structures, and using your bare hands to catch giant catfish—talk about a thrill!

Our expert guides have built high-end, catfish-approved structures deep in the riverbed, and they'll be with us every step of the way to make sure we not only have a blast but also stay safe. Whether you're excited or feeling a little nervous, don’t worry—our guides are pros at keeping things safe, fun, and successful. This is the perfect trip for those looking to push their limits, get up close with nature, and add a one-of-a-kind adventure to their list.

What You’ll Need:

• A freshwater fishing license—you can get a 1-day license for $7 (resident) or $15 (non-resident), or a 7-day license for $35 (non-resident). You can purchase them here.

Trip Itinerary:

Friday:

• Arrive by 6 PM and meet the group for a dinner + meet & greet. This is a great chance to get to know your fellow adventurers before the excitement begins.
• After dinner, we’ll head to our house to get settled and prepare for the big weekend ahead.

Saturday:

• 8 AM: Meet your guides at the landing and start noodling! Be prepared for a full day of fishing and fun.
• Pack snacks, drinks, and lunch for the day. We’ll be fishing hard, so bring whatever you’ll need to stay energized.
• 5 PM: Wrap up for the day and head back to the house to clean up. Then, we’ll grab dinner at a local spot to share stories from the day’s adventures.

Sunday:

• We’ll repeat the same schedule—another full day of noodling and soaking in the Kentucky river.
• Once we finish up, we can grab one last dinner in town before heading home—if we’re not too exhausted from all the action!

Whether you’re a seasoned noodler or a first-timer, this adventure is all about having fun, learning new skills, and embracing the wild side of fishing. Ready to catch some monster catfish with your bare hands?

We’ll encounter three amazing species of catfish that call the Kentucky rivers home. Each of these "Kentucky Cats" has its own unique characteristics, and part of the fun will be identifying them as we swim down to the riverbed structures to snag them by hand!

Here’s a closer look at the catfish species we’ll be encountering:

Blue Cats

The Blue Catfish is a massive and powerful fish that can grow up to 5.5 feet long and weigh up to 150 pounds! Don’t let the size intimidate you—most Blue Cats we’ll find are between 20-50 inches (roughly 3-60 pounds). These fish have a sleek, heavy-bodied frame with a distinct, deeply forked tail fin. The coloring ranges from a pale blue or gray on the back and sides to a white belly, making them easy to spot as they glide through the water. Unlike the Channel Catfish, the Blue Cat’s anal fin is long and straight-edged, with no dark spots on the body.

Yellow Cats

Next up, we’ll meet the Yellow Catfish, which is a medium-sized species with a stout body and a nearly straight or slightly rounded tail fin. Their coloring varies from olive-brown to black on the back and sides, fading into a pale yellow or white belly. Although these fish don’t grow as large as their Blue or Flathead cousins, they still provide a good fight! Yellow Cats typically grow to about 18 inches long and weigh around 4 pounds, making them a fun catch for all skill levels.

Flathead Cats

The Flathead Catfish is one of the most distinctive-looking cats you'll encounter. With its large, broad, and flattened head, and a protruding lower jaw, the Flathead is built for striking! These fish range in color from yellow to brown, with mottling of dark brown and black along their backs and sides. Their bellies are typically pale yellow or white, and they often have a white tip on the upper lobe of their tail fin, making them easy to identify. Flathead Cats are another large species, growing up to 5 feet in length and weighing over 120 pounds, though the most common size we’ll encounter ranges between 15-50 inches (1-60 pounds).

Catch and Release... With a Few Keepers!

While the main goal of our trip is to catch and release most of the catfish to ensure the population thrives, we understand that some anglers may want to take home a few smaller fish. If you’d like to keep your catch, you’re welcome to! Our fantastic guides will even clean and prepare your fish for you, so you can enjoy the fruits of your labor when you return home.

The lodging accommodations that are included in your trip are always tailored to women looking for a welcoming and spacious atmosphere to foster friendships! Our cozy accommodations offer ample room to relax and unwind, featuring large common areas where you can connect with fellow guests.  When selecting a space, we prioritize spaces that create a serene escape, complemented by shared amenities that encourage camaraderie and comfort. You’ll find well-maintained shared bedrooms and bathrooms, ensuring a pleasant experience for everyone. Please note that during this trip, you may need to share a bed / bedroom with another participant. We appreciate your understanding as this helps foster a sense of camaraderie and community among all attendees. Feel free to socialize in the kitchen and living areas or enjoy the fresh air outside. Whether you’re joining us for a quick weekend getaway or an extended stay, we strive to choose an environment that nurtures a sense of community while providing all the comforts of home. Embrace the chance to make new friends and create lasting memories during this unique experience! Once you connect with your trip coordinator, they will share more specific details about your lodging accommodations. 

Yes, we know this part might seem a bit tedious, but it’s important! We kindly ask that everyone who registers for a trip visits the FAQs and Policy page on our website. If you sign up for a trip without reviewing this information, it’s your responsibility. There’s a wealth of valuable information there that could influence your decision. Please make sure to check out all the FAQs and Policies on our website before signing up for a trip with us. Thank you! 

We want to ensure that every trip with Her Wilderness is enjoyable and memorable, but we acknowledge that sometimes things don’t go as planned. Mother Nature has a significant impact on our outdoor adventures, so we encourage you to approach each trip with a positive attitude and a "go with the flow" mindset. If this feels unreasonable to you, we kindly ask that you reconsider registering for our events. Weather can be unpredictable, affecting activities like hiking, hunting, and fishing, and our top priority is always your safety. For instance, if your trip is focused on duck hunting but our guide believes a goose hunt is more feasible, we will follow their expert recommendation. If this kind of flexibility is not something you're comfortable with, we encourage you to think twice about joining us. We expect all participants to maintain a positive attitude, regardless of the circumstances. Many of our trips have faced changes, cancellations, or rescheduling, yet the understanding and adaptability of the group have made all the difference that still allows for an incredible experience! We take pride in creating fun experiences, even in challenging situations. Please be aware that our trips may involve sharing accommodations with others, unpredictable weather that could impact planned activities, limited bathroom facilities for larger groups, and the possibility of not harvesting the specific animal you hoped for. These are real scenarios that can arise, and while we’ll do our best to minimize issues, they can happen. We strive to maintain a drama-free and stress-free environment. If any participant brings negativity or drama, they will be asked to leave without a refund and will not be allowed to return. Our goal is to ensure that everyone feels comfortable and valued, so we ask for your cooperation in keeping a cool, calm, and collected attitude throughout the trip. We truly appreciate each of our customers and are committed to providing the best possible experience for all participants. Thank you for understanding, and we look forward to creating unforgettable memories together! 

We’re thrilled to announce a new booking and payment system aimed at enhancing your experience! Starting October 1, 2024, all trip registrations will be processed through WeTravel. Once you register, you’ll receive a confirmation email via the WeTravel platform. Your trip coordinator will then reach out with detailed information about your adventure and schedule two virtual video meetings for all trip attendees. The coordinator will share their email and other contact information with you at their discretion, so please respect their boundaries and contact them only through the provided information. A quick reminder: personal social media profiles are not the best way to reach out to your coordinator. During the virtual meetings, hosted on Google Meet, you’ll discuss important details such as packing lists, travel plans, and more. To ensure smooth communication, please register with a valid email address that you check regularly. If you have any questions or need assistance regarding the trip, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at questions@herwilderness.co. We look forward to making your experience exceptional!