Usually start about May or so.
You'll catch 100 times more if you go at night. It's about the only thing I fish lakes for anymore and never target them during the day.

At night they come up to the shallower water to feed.

Can't go wrong with nightcrawlers.

Don't shy away from those brown bullheads either. They fry up quite nicely. thumbs
Very good biters too. I like to get to the lake about 10PM and usually can leave at about 11-11:30 with 10-15 cats.
mmmmmm, wish I hadn't seen this post. Got me thinking about pan fried catfish fillets now.