Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Newly Constructed Ponds for Catfish

Justin, welcome to PB.

What is your closest town?

Good point on having the water tested. Also, get a soil test. In pine tree country, the water often needs to be limed and then fertilized for fish to survive and thrive. Oak tree country is different. The water quality is dependent on the soil properties.

Are the ponds holding water OK?

I see from your previous post that you have some 6 inch wells to fill and maintain the ponds. Do you also get decent run off? Well water has limited oxygen. So, run the water over some sort of baffles like rocks to break it up and oxygenate it. You can and should install aeration systems but not fountains. Fountains look nice but don't do much good. I tell people that fountains are like race horses and beauty contest winners. They look nice; are expensive to acquire and maintain but don't do a lick of work.

In a pure catfish pond, I would probably avoid bluegills. Cats can't keep up with BG reproduction in the South and that could give you an over supply with a resulting oxygen crash. Consider hybrid bluegills. They have limited reproduction and grow pretty well in our warm climate.

I would use channel cats only with a feeder and feed Purina Game Fish Chow or another quality 32% protein feed like Cargill. Avoid bargain priced feed. A lot of that stuff has high protein but uses chicken feathers that is not digestible by fish. They will eat it but it does little for them.

Pickrel is a nice plant with limited spreading. You are going to get some other weeds and may, at some point, need to add grass carp. This year has seen a lot of noxious weed growth in Texas ponds.

I wouldn't worry a lot about structure with a catfish pond. My personal preference is cedars.

BTW, have you considered Hybrid Stripers either in lieu of or with the cats? The only downside to the Stripers is that catching them in hot weather generally kills them.

Have fun.