I think it depends on your circumstances. All the ponds that I know, that are connected to bayous or lakes, have them. Even when it is just occasional overflow. It seems that good predator population helps keep them down, along with seining the tight balls of young in the spring(if you have a small pond). I was hoping that Pond Boss would do an article on them, because to me, they are more of a problem than the Green Sunfish. Well, I am not as upset about them now that I ate some.
As for the flavor, I heard that you can soak the filets in milk for a while(?). Commercial operations keep carp and catfish in clean water tanks for some time before marketing them. There may be other ways...
I hope you never need to learn more about them.
