Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Creating habitat Basics of a Catfish Pond

Dusty where did you get your fish?? If they had spots thy were channels.

Dusty,

How about the cormorants (water turkeys)? Seen any? They have started their migration north around here and I only saw one scout bird all last weekend...Thank God.

I got my fish from Tommy's Fish Truch from Romance, AR. I'll tell you the truth, the only catfish I took anything more than a glance at was that white one. I figured if I could keep it from dying, I'd make it a pond pet. I think I bought channel, but I suppose, I might have bought blues. The good thing about catfish is they are cheap. If I lost this group, I'll buy another one. But it sure makes me worried to think those water turkeys may have eaten them.
Meadowlark, I haven't seen anything on the pond. That doesn't mean that they didn't clean it out already. I put in about 800 minnows, but I haven't seen any of them either. Should I be seeing groups of minnows swimming at the edges? I see a few fish ripples here and there when the pond's surface is smooth.

A water turkey circled 4 or 5 times last weekend when I was feeding fish. I guess it finally realized that I wasn't leaving.

Dave,
Maybe it saw that gleam in your eye. Or was it the glint off of metal?

Dave,

I'd be willing to bet you that the turkey came back when you weren't there...and may even be there right now. You just can't trust water turkeys....they are amazing at figuring out your visitation patterns.....almost as good as poachers.

Meadowlark,
It seems to me that you have a real dislike for cormorants. I hope you're not having to go into anger management for this. Please take care of yourself. By the way, all cormorants from here have been advised to fly east as soon as possible. Dave has a means of hurrying them along on their journey.

When I spotted the WT, it was heading my direction in what I can only call a purposeful manner. It finally left and I can only say that I don't think it came back that day. Of course, I have another one acre pond 3/4 of a mile away. I can't watch them all and started feeling ridiculous trying. I've been told that they taste a little bit like chicken.

Dusty,

I confess to an obsession with the WT. Some folks fear the boogyman, the IRS, the angry husband....for me from Oct. to March, its the WT! Once they clean out your pond, you will join the club.