There is this small community lake near my house and has a bunch of 1- 2 pound channels. But i really want to cat a bigger catfish.
I have been able to catch 20pound carp but biggest cat is 10pound out of that lake.
Any suggestions please?

The bigger cats will be more predatory than scavenger. Try live bait at night.

What time you think because i think at this lake i have to leave at 10. would you suggest large minnows or small bluegil?

If you have to leave by 10pm then I would much rather try the morning run. By my luck, I don't seem to catch as much big catfish in the evening as compared to the morning. I've caught big morning catfish all the way up to 10am in the morning, till the turtles start to crowd. A hungry 10# cat should have no problem gulping down an 8" bluegill. If you can catch shiners in the same lake, I'd much rather use them. Small bullheads will work too 5-8 inches. Sucker minnows 6-8 inches.  Even a nice leopard frog makes a wonderful catfish bait.

wow that is intesresting never heard of using catfish for catfish bait, i might have to try that tomorrow
thank you

WELL THE BIGGER THE BAIT THE BIGGER THE FISH. A BIG CAT IS NOT GOING FOR A MINNOW

Catfish are very oppurtunistic feeders. Brother of a buddy of mine caught a Flathead over 50# off of a crappie minnow. I'm still scratching my head is disbelief over that one...

I generally catch smaller catfish during the day and I usually catch larger ones at night.  Night (or evening) fishing is usually the best time to catch bigger catfish.

The Classic Michigander