Those 'catfish' you mention may be bullheads, most likely.

A rough fish that takes up biomass. Adult LMB will usually keep them in check.

If you get real aggressive with fishing out the green sunfish, you should be able to remove a hundred plus in a few hours. That will make a difference, along with getting some adult LMB.


Excerpt from Robert Crais' "The Monkey's Raincoat:"
"She took another microscopic bite of her sandwich, then pushed it away. Maybe she absorbed nutrients from her surroundings."