Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations No More Catfish?????

Stocked a pond about 4 years ago with Channel Catfish, Black Crappie and some Perch. Have stocked Rainbows' every November and they last til about the first of July. Two years ago we caught a bunch of 4-5lb catfish. No catfish have been caught since---WHY? Please give some ideas.

Mo,
You have to give alot more info.
1) pond size?
2) fertile or infertile water (water clarity)?
3) what other fish are in the pond (forage fish)?
4) do you catch crappie .. what size?
5) do you catch perch .. what size?
6) do you see any small fish in the pond?

Water is farily clear year round. Can catch Crappie and Perch of all sizes. Both have reproduced very well. Lake size is about 3 acres. Have fatheads in the pond along with a decent supply of crawdads.
Have used some Karmex to help control a bad moss situation. Water is pumped into the lake twice a week to maintain proper depth---water is fairly cool---58-60 degrees when it is initially pumped in. Temps this time of the year are about 75 - 80. Could this be a problem?

You may have the same problem I have. My catfish have gotten hook shy and just won't bite. Try a couple of things. Try night fishing or catch a bluegill and use it for cut bait. That has worked for a friend of mine. Not me; I've decided to not mess with them. They just might be smarter than me.

One more thing. If you are feeding, you should see them. If they don't come to feed, you might have decimated their numbers.

I agree Dave about the hook shy, plus I'm probably not the best fisherman in the world. We do feed and last saw the cats late in the fall of '02. Have set out trotlines baited with shrimp, stink bait, redwigglers and minnows. No Fish! Any other ideas?!?!?!?!?

It is real tough to catch bigger cats of any species with the same old stinky junky baits as before. Try a small live blue-gill.....Had an 8 acre pond before that we caught channels on crank baits and plastic worms....

Try using a small bgill (2"-3") or larger ones for truly big cats. Don't kill it, and cut off most of the tail; scissors works good. Try hooking it in different areas of the body to more hide the evidence of a hook. Fish it near the bottom; best to use a slip sinker for weight.

PS I don't think I would be eating any fish from a Karmax treated pond; not to mention it is also illegal since Karmax is a crop herbicide and is not approved for use in water. You should look for another herbicide. K.Duffie may be able to give some information on lingering affects of Karmex in ponds.