I am managing a 30 year old private 80 acre lake. The lake is only being fished by myself for the last year and before that it was 100% catch and release. The lake has a very big population of 8 - 13 lb. catfish as well as largemouth (stunned - 95% under 16" and over 11") and a decent population of 6" bluegill (very few small ones due to too many bass).
I am culling bass to bring up the relative weights of the bass. I am removing all bass caught under 15". I rarely ever see a small catfish in the lake.

I have not fished for or culled any catfish - should I? Catfish are literally splashing and jumping everyday - don't know what they are chasing as there are no shad in the lake and only bluegill, bass and mosquito fish. Can one have too many big catfish in a lake that are competing with the already pressured bluegill population? We are managing the lake for healthy and possible trophy population - not catfish. The kids like to catch catfish though. So too get more weight on the bass should I remove the bulk of the cats?

Thanks!

Dave
So. California