Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Corrective stocking too many bullhead catfish in old Pond

I just recently purchased some land with a 2 acre pond on it. We have fished all weekend and caught tons of perch and Bullhead catfish. The Catfish are all less than 10 inches and some with eggs. They are very hungry and it looks to be way over stocked. What is the best coarse of action? I clearly don't like these fish and would like to replace with channel cats. I was told there was bass and catfish in the lake but haven't caught any bass yet but have seen signs. The lake is over 35 years old and I am sure it hasn't been fished or harvested in a long time. Thanks for the help!

If you can't catch a bass, I'd be surprised if they were in there. I am referring to the fact(maybe and maybe not) that it hasn't been fished in a long time.

Take a picture of the perch so they can be identified. That really matters.

Keep catching the cats and tossing them.

Either that or kill off everything on the pond and start over. I can't recommend that in Jack County. To do a proper fish kill, it is best if you drain the pond as much as possible. After last year I wouldn't want to do that at all.

Drag nets

There have been some good posts on here on bullhead traps. Using traps, heavy angling pressure and an healthy LMB population generally keeps bullheads under control.

Your adult channel catfish will eat the bullheads also. I would turn back every adult channel cat and LMB you catch, keep every bullhead you catch, and stock more LMB (the bigger you can get the better).

I have 3 traps set in my 1.5 acre pond. We fish several times a week and still keep pulling them out. Each trap catches 10 or so every couple days. They are good eating with a little bit of work to clean them that small. They are spawning right now so the faster you can get LMB in there the better as they will eat the YOY from what I have read.

Check out this thread on the forum for expert guidance on BH removal. Our group offers its services nationwide if you aren't comfortable trying this on your own.

And if the fishing rods and traps don't work......

Well I have pulled out 266 BH since last Sunday and it doesn't seem to be slowing down yet. I am using traps and rods and it seems to be working. We have seen 3 bass in this pond this week and those were about the 2lb size. I don't have a clue as to how many bass are in there but I know its not enough. I have only owned this pond for about two weeks and would agree this would be a good time to stock but I am not sure how many. Any suggestions... I am not sure to stock now because I would like to get more BH out first, is that the wrong approach???