I would recommend stocking a mix of blues and channels in that pond. I get irritated when folks discourage the stocking of blues in these circumstances, just because they can grow large and eat other fish. That's what you are stocking the forage fish for, right? I have a 2 acre broodfish/recreational pond with blues and channels, along with threadfin and gizzard shad, bluegill, hybrid stripers, and few largemouth bass. I also supplement with feed. I have blues up to around 50lbs, channels up to 15lbs, and all sizes down from that. Sometimes blues bite well, sometimes channels bite well, sometimes they have different preferences for bait. Blues fight incredibly hard and have stolen a great deal of fishing tackle. This keeps it exciting, interesting, and more productive from an angling standpoint.
If you want a quality catfish pond then don't be afraid to stock blues or a mix. Since when is growing large shark-like catfish considered a negative?
Overton,
I have to agree here, if I had the option to get some blues I would but have not found anyone here that has them.
By the way since you are managing them maybe you can tell us how long it takes to get one of these up to 10-15 pounds and beyond. I am sure if you feed etc in your pond it will help but around here they limit the number of big ones you can keep do to the fact it takes so long for them to reach that size.
Also what would you say the minimum water depth would need to be to raise these or a mixture of them with CC or maybe even a flathead or 2 if you are doing a catfish pond?
This may be an option for an older pond if they do not require much.
Also what would be the best forage base for these Catfish and how long should they have to get established before stocking all the cats?
I know bullheads are a pain but if you were to have a catfish pond would it hurt to add these later as a forage bass, I here they are great forage for flatheads but not sure if blues or CC will eat them or not?
Thanks
