Originally Posted By: teehjaeh57
Great question. The pond[s] will only be 1 acre, maybe less. I agree one could combine species and forage. My idea for the catfish pond was:

CB Hybrid [Channel/Blue hybrid]
FHC [Flathead]
BG - high fedcundity and additional panfish opportunity
GSH - high fecundity, fusiform and soft rayed
BH - high fecundity and fusiform
Carp - high fecundity, fusiform and soft rayed
GS [if they'd make it]
BC/WC - high fecundity/alternate panfish opportunity
LMB - could grow some monsters

I'd like to be able to fish the pond for multiple species instead of making it a one dimensional. Problem is, I don't want most of these forage species in my other ponds, so I'll need to remove them from the watershed entirely for risk of flooding and invasive species introduction. If I do THAT, I lose the opportunity to provide supplemental irrigation, so water quality/level becomes an issue and I fear TM requirements won't allow them to survive potentially warm and turbid waters. I'm still playing around with the mix, but these are my initial thoughts.


Maybe you could use pure Channel Cats rather than the hybrids? It's my understanding that pure Channels are less piscavorous than Blues or hybrids, so you could get away with "safer" forage species due to lower demands on them. TM may be able to keep CC reproduction in check.

Ponds in TX, lake place in WI, me in CA