Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Help Gut Hooked Channel Catfish

I have a 1.25 acre farm pond. I stocked it in October 2022 with LMBs, standard Bluegill, 50 Channel Catfish and Fathead minnows. I started sample fishing the pond this spring to see how the fish were progressing. I am feeding the fish with Purina Aquamax Sportfish MVP as well. To my surprise, I began catching white crappie and no Bass at all. I assume the crappie ate all the fathead minnows and all my Bass fingerlings. I purchased 20 twelve inch LMBs, at great expense, and released them into the pond two weeks ago. I invited my neighbor over to catch some of the Crappie for his pond. I even gave him a Beetle Spin lure. Unbeknownst to me, he took a bunch of live nightcrawlers to the pond and gut hooked two of my 4-5 pound cats. One cat broke his line so now I have a cat swimming around with a hook in it and towing a bobber. He got the hook out of the other one and released it. Will these fish survive? I will be at the farm later this week and will attempt to retrieve the cat with the bobber. I am not happy with my neighbor and told him to not come back. I have spent a lot of money rehabbing this pond. Am I over reacting? Thanks in advance for any advice.

It's hard to stay calm when your fish sustain some 'damage' from novice anglers.

That gut-hooked CC probably has a greater than 50/50 chance of being OK, but it's just a guess as we don't know the size of the hook, or where exactly it's hooked. If it's in the lips/mouth, I would say that's a better case than a hook in the gullet.

How many LMB did your originally stock?

We originally stocked 200 LMB fingerlings. But, have not caught a single one. That's why we bit the bullet and went with the 20 twelve inch Bass. I guess I am real touchy as I do not want any of these Bass damaged until I can get them to reproduce. I have set minnow traps and have caught numerous Bluegill anywhere in size from one inch to two inches. My Bluegill population seems to be doing real well and there should be lots of forage for the Bass. Thank you for your response.

I doubt you lost all (200) LMB fingerlings, but only time will tell.

I hope you are right.