we are starting clean with a new pond. Bream/Shad to start and then Large Mouth coming in spring. my question: is it a cardinal sin to include catfish in a pond like this? will they cause a lot of harm to the pond?
How big is the pond, how deep? Do you plan to aerate and or feed? What are your stocking numbers?
In general CC are a good choice with BG and LMB. A few pointers, decrease the bass stocking numbers a bit to account for the catfish. Also if your goal is big bass, harvest the catfish at about 2 pounds because after that they will start to significantly compete with your bass. I have CC and LMB in my pond here up in Wisconsin and both the bass and catfish grow fine despite each other.
Your pond will suport "X" number of predators. You can add catfish, but you need to offset the LMB you stock.
How big is the pond, how deep? Do you plan to aerate and or feed? What are your stocking numbers?
In general CC are a good choice with BG and LMB. A few pointers, decrease the bass stocking numbers a bit to account for the catfish. Also if your goal is big bass, harvest the catfish at about 2 pounds because after that they will start to significantly compete with your bass. I have CC and LMB in my pond here up in Wisconsin and both the bass and catfish grow fine despite each other.
4 acres, 3ft-15ft mostly around 6ft. possible supplemental feed. open to any stocking numbers
How big is the pond, how deep? Do you plan to aerate and or feed? What are your stocking numbers?
In general CC are a good choice with BG and LMB. A few pointers, decrease the bass stocking numbers a bit to account for the catfish. Also if your goal is big bass, harvest the catfish at about 2 pounds because after that they will start to significantly compete with your bass. I have CC and LMB in my pond here up in Wisconsin and both the bass and catfish grow fine despite each other.
4 acres, 3ft-15ft mostly around 6ft. possible supplemental feed. open to any stocking numbers
I'm no expert but I would saw for stocking numbers, 1600 BG, 600 RES, 150 LMB, and 50 CC. Just my 2 cents.