Monster Cat Roundup

July 22, 2022 by Montana Cats Staff

7/16/22 - Sidney, MT. - There always seems to be two mainstays at the Monster Cat Roundup.  The anglers should always expect a challenging bite and they should never forget the sunscreen.  This year provided more of the same.  The summer heat peaked in the mid 90's this time around, but despite those difficult conditions it is safe to say the 50-boat field won this version of the battle!  Twenty teams weighed in over 20 lbs. breaking the previous record of seventeen teams with 20+ pounds in 2020.  Teams reported solid weights, but limited numbers.  In what has become customary at this post-spawn event, a five fish limit presented it's own unique challenges.     
No one "cracked the code" quite like Glendive anglers, Cole Plouffe and Brett Burman.  The veteran Catfishermen deployed a mobile strategy that helped them land over 40 catfish throughout the duration of the event.  Those are numbers unheard of in this Sidney section for this time of year.  Cole stated, "We caught over 20 Cats in one spot and had 35+ pounds by 10:00 AM".  It is the first Monster Cat Roundup title for either angler, but it is a 6th tournament championship for Plouffe during his Montana Cats Career.  Moving himself into a tie with Chad Dawson and the Wise Guys (Bobby and Robert) for 3rd All-Time in career circuit victories.  Congratulations gentleman on a great day on the water!    

July 17, 2021 by Montana Cats Staff

7/17/21 - Sidney, MT. - The Yellowstone River is very low and recent temperature's have been unseasonably scorching.  With those conditions unlikely to change over the weekend, the Montana Catfish Association Board of Directors held discussion early this week and took unprecedented action to protect the health of the fish during the event.  For the first time in the 13-year history of the event, the 5-fish limit was reduced to just 4 for this year's event.  The change would allow anglers a better chance to keep their fish healthy and return them safely to the river after weigh-ins.  Mission accomplished!  It was a highly successful event once again.  Despite 96 degree heat, the Montana Cats anglers passed the test with flying colors and proved yet again that they are committed to keeping the fish in great shape.    

July 18, 2020 by Montana Cats Staff

7/18/20 - Sidney, MT. - They've done it again!  Back in 2018, KaCee McPherson and Nicole Peterson both of Savage, MT., became the 1st All-Female Champions in Montana Cats history when they took down a field of 60 teams at the 10th Annual Monster Cat Roundup.  Last weekend, at the 12th Annual Monster Cat Roundup in Sidney, the ladies put an even more dominant performance together.  On the back of the largest Channel Cat ever weighed in during the 21-year history of MT Cats Circuit events; KaCeee and Nicole weighed in a whopping 31.75 lbs., besting a field of 57 teams by just under 2 lbs.  Making it even more unbelievable, the anglers only weighed in 4 fish after accidentally culling out a 5th fish near 6 lbs. The mistake occurred during a hectic last 20 minutes of the event.  

July 20, 2019 by Montana Cats Staff

7/20/2019 (Sidney, MT) – With near perfect weather and stable to slightly dropping water in the forecast, anglers could only hope that the fish would cooperate for the 11th Annual Monster Cat Roundup in Sidney this past Saturday.  Fisherman knew it would still prove to be difficult, however.  As is customary at the Roundup, Channel Catfish were in the middle to nearing the end of their spawn and water temperatures were hovering in the upper 70's.  This traditionally causes fish to become a bit tight-lipped and makes the anglers take extra precaution with each of their individual catches.  A good working live-well aerator on the boat or in a large cooler becomes essential to every team.  Anglers also introduce fresh water at every stop and can be seen introducing ice and frozen water bottles to their water storage system throughout the day.  All of this with the intent of weighing in five healthy fish at the end of the day and returning them all safely to the water at the conclusion of weigh-ins.    

August 22, 2018 by Montana Cats Staff

Congratulations goes out to KaCee McPherson and Nicole Peterson both of Savage, MT on winning the 10th Annual NE Montana Monster Cat Round-up today in Sidney with 33.28 lbs! It’s a truly historic victory. McPherson and Peterson are the first “all female” team champions in Montana Cats Circuit history. They are also the first shore team to ever win a MT Cats event outside of the Milk River Catfish Classic! Until today, there had never been a shore champ at the Yellowstone Challenge, the Missouri River Catfish Clash, or the Monster Cat Roundup. Very impressive! The ladies stayed in one spot all day and it produced early and often as they had over 30 lbs.