Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Creating habitat 4" PVC Pipe for Spawning Habitat

I have about 100' of 4" corrugated PVC pipe that I was hoping to use as fish habitat. Was hoping channel cat and FH minnows could use it for spawning habitat. Have several questions:

-What fish will use it for spawning (FH minnows, channel cats?)
-What is the best configuration (3' lengths in 4' of water?)
-What is the best way to secure (tie to a concrete block?)

Any other suggestions?

John

4" pipe isn't really big enough in diameter for CC of any size. It would probably work out well for the fatheads, but you need something larger for the CC.

Fatheads will spawn inside and on the outside. I would bundle sections of it, five or six pieces of pipe, three feet long, shaped like a pyramid. Place them in water less than three feet deep. Fatheads will use them, but catfish won't.

John :

Research shows that fathead eggs are adhesive (possibly from mucus from the top of the male's head) and stick better to rough objects like rough cut boards. I would use a file/rasp or small grinder wheel on the inside and outside of the pvc (where you can) to rough up the pipe. That should result in less egg loss.

Whats the best size to use for CC. Will they spawn in a 1/2 acre pond?

Channel catfish need a place closed on all sides but one, large enough to move around a bit. Hatcheries used to use cream cans, sunk in water less than five feet deep, opening facing south. Why do you want the catfish to spawn?

So I have more of them. I dont want to keep buying them for I have had unwanted visitors fishing them out as fast as I had put them in.My pond is more than 1/4 mile from my house with woods inbetween so I cant even see it from my house in the summertime. with the pond so secluded I cant guard it with much sucess.

Dan B, read Bruce Condellos post on detering poachers.