Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose New Ponds

I am thinking about getting a couple of new ponds made, Still not sure of the size and depth yet (very flexible with that). I was hoping on having a mix of Chain Pickerel and Channel Catfish in them but not sure if this is possible. Can these 2 species coexist together over time or will the Pickerel eat all the small Catfish till they eliminate them over time (or vice versa)Has anyone had these 2 species together in a pond? I would like to keep something that I can just stock and let exist in a natural state as opposed to something I have to keep restocking. I will also ask what are the spawning requirements of Channel Catfish? Can they spawn on a muddy bottom in still water or do they require rocks or gravel? Also can they spawn in standing/still water or do they require running/flowing water? Has anyone had successful Channel Catfish spawning in their pond? Any help at all would be great thanks

All CC need for successful spawning are tubular containers or cylinders (open one end closed other) that fish can get into for laying eggs. i.e some sort of cavity. I've seen them spawn in tires laid horizontal. Most of these spawning structures are placed in relatively shallow water 1-4 ft deep. Some have used trash can type containers with a narrow board in front to keep eggs inside. Larger diameter plastic or PVC pipe can work okay if one end is closed. CC fry do not survive well with all fish that eat the tadpole like hatchlings. Depending on amount of cover /habitat will govern survival of CC fry.

Where are you getting the chain pickerel from hunjen? Another pond i assume?

Bill do you think large hollow logs would work or would they not use those if they weren't closed at one end? Also will they excavate there own holes in the bank at all or should I provide all spawning structure? Doesn't sound like CP would be a great fit with them but I would definitely appreciate any insight if anyone has kept them together before.I should mention I am mostly catch and release so as long as enough fry survived to maintain some sort of population I would be happy.

My buddy has CP in his pond, gonna get them from him.

I have never kept just CC and CP in the same pond, but I don't see them being impossible to keep together. CC are rather cheap to buy at larger sizes. So even if they don't spawn, buying and stocking 8"-10" fish wouldn't be overly expensive nor difficult to source. CP will spawn over aquatic vegetation. I would stock FHM and GSH and then the CC and a year later the CP. 20 or so adult CP per acre should get you started...