Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Creating habitat spawing

spawning catfish is not a question of money or over poppulating it is a hobbie but so far all ive done is find bullheads in my sp. container i used 5 gl buckets cut a hole in the lids 6" and putt 2 gl of pee gravle to sink them went back in to check them all the gravle was gone out of all 10 and 3 had adult mud cats is there some way to make it more favorable for channle cats and less for muds as far as over poppulating there sevrall lakes that need a good stocking they really get over fished

I think you have a fish population dynamics problem rather than a spawning problem. But, if you put out bigger spawning devices, channel catfish will use them. Keep in mind, though, don't put them out until spawning season...which differs geographically. For SE Texas, expect catfish to spawn the third week of May. Put your devices out two weeks ahead. Lash two five gallon buckets together, open ends together, then cut a hole in the end of one bucket, and place it where the hole aims south, in water no deeper than 3 feet. Be sure the bucket has some way to stay sunk...some people put concrete in the bottom, just enough to weigh it down.
Be creative with what you use...you can use 30 gallon trash cans with lids, you can use beer kegs with a hole cut in the end, etc.

Will this also work for blue cats?

absolutely...but keep in mind blue cat mature later in life, therefore are much bigger...so they need a bigger device, more like a barrel. Same rules, otherwise.

Bob , I have a few C-Cat spawning questions . in my area what month ? - what size holes in buckets ? - facing south ? - in sun or shade ? - have some old beaver holes in the side of the pond but cat's don't see to be using them .Harvey

Harvey,
Channel cat spawn in east Texas beginning third week of May, sometimes into the third week of June, depending on water temps. Typically, last week of May, first week of June. If catfish are 2-4 pounds, an 8" hole in the end of a device same size as a beer keg. Face hole to south, device sitting level on bottom, maybe slightly tilted backward (so fry don't wash out), perpendicular to shore, in water 3-4 feet deep. Pull your barrel/keg/bucket/device when not in use.

Bob , forgot one question , apprx. how many kegs for a 2 acre pond . Thanks Harvey

Tricky question, that one. How many babies do you wish upon yourself? If you want to collect eggs, hatch them, and raise catfish, you might want 15. But, if you simply want to replace fish for your population, 0 is best (Buy a few to replace yours..they're cheap). So, somewhere in between lies your answer. I haven't been a proponent of encouraging catfish to reproduce, simply because you lose control of numbers...then catfish are notorious for outgrowing their environment. EVERY call I receive this time of year related to fish kills is related to catfish, overfeeding, overpopulation circumstances.

Bob , your probably right on the put & take part . but i am feeding { automatic } twice a day and the cat's do show up ! Harvey