Pond Boss Forums FISH & FISHING Fly Fishing & Other Fish Species Wels Catfish

The latest reports seem to be of DNA nature.

Detroit News

Fish eDNA

On another side note, the Zander has been a thorn in the side of the YP industry in MI and surrounding states. They import the juveniles, process them and pass them off as Lake Perch in stores and restaurants. I brought this up to the manager at a local store a number of years ago who had a "Lake Perch" display and in tiny fine print on the package it clearly stated Zander. I told him this was illegal and he had the sign changed. He said that they ordered Lake Perch and this is what the distributor/processor sent them.

BTW, Lake Perch up here are Yellow Perch.

Another thing about the Zander that are imported is they are commercially netted in a few of the large eastern European lakes which are a who's who of chemicals and pollutants.

In case you get wels catfish in your pond, you don't need any pellets. This creature is a predator and it can easily eat fish, frogs and any other creatures.

Some basic facts about this fish:

1) grows fast (approx.):

1st year - 0,5 kg;
2nd year - 1kg;
3rd year - 2kg;
4th year - 4 kg;
5th year - 8 kg;
6th year - 16 kg;
12th year - 32 kg;
24th year - 64 kg;


This growth rate depends on forage base and different circumstances. Sure, there is difference between living in large river and small pond.

2) wels catfish can survive in water with low oxygen level;

3) it eats much, very much

4) very tasty fish with no scales and only one large fish bone (no small ones).

5) strong fish in case you like fishing.

6) they should be able to spawn in ponds too.

I've purchased some little ones last autumn and probably after some years I'll be able to get some big fish!