Planning on digging a 1 to 1.5 acre pond, aerated/fish feeder/water fed from water well....if that matters. Was wondering how successful I would be stocking LMB & hybrid catfish together in a small pond like this. Planning on feeding pellets & also stocking forage fish but curious how both will make out competing for food? Please advise......

I think that both species can exist in a pond that size. You will need an extensive food chain for the bass, which the catfish will also use. This will almost definitely require bluegill. You may have a hard time getting the bass to accept pellets, but catfish will almost always eat them readily. The catfish will probably be a put and take thing, as they will not reproduce in most ponds.

All I can say is good luck.

Since you're in Texas, I'd look into stocking CNBG (Coppernose Bluegills).

What species is the hybrid catfish derived from? What is the purpose of the hybridization?

[quote=esshup]Since you're in Texas, I'd look into stocking CNBG (Coppernose Bluegills).

What species is the hybrid catfish derived from? What is the purpose of the hybridization? [/quote


The hybrids I was looking at are a cross between a blue & channel cat. They are supposed to be less prone to disease, grow at a faster rate, have a little more meat on the bone, & be a little more aggressive. At least that's what they say.

I would like to hear more about the hybrid Cats, please let me know what sizes they come in and where you can get some.

They're becoming more common in aquaculture, but from what I have read there isn't much if any advantage to them for what most pond owners are looking for from catfish in their ponds.