Eastland states to add catfish. I fail to see how that would help. If you have too many bass (predators) why are you adding more predators? Removing some bass will allow the forage base to increase. Baby catfish are slow swimmers. Most, if not all of them get eaten if your bass are overcrowded. In my overcrowded bass pond, I set out a trotline and caught 8 catfish. None were under 7 pounds. There were no small ones. The bass were eating any babies that were born. (I do have out pipe for the catfish to nest in.)
Catfish have to grow for two years before they spawn. They prefer to eat dead or wounded things that cant get away. I do not see how they would significantly reduce your bass population.
I would think that you could find a couple of dedicated fishermen, who are responsible enough to maintain records of what they take out of your lake. I know that I would love to find someone willing to allow me to fish on their 30 acre private lake. I would be willing to obey their rules and wishes for the privelege.
