I as yal know i have lost all but just a few of my large cc . . . and i do have spounin cover for them so how long from fri to top feedin.
Rodeo,
I lost all but one of my large catfish several months ago.
As far as I could tell, my big cats would spawn. I have caves in my shoreline banks. The females were full of eggs. But, I never saw any evidence of fry or fingerlings. As far as I can tell, that is pretty typical of catfish in small ponds. The catfish fry don't have a chance against the other fish in the pond.
I put in twenty-five 4-5 inch channel cats on June 1. They were supposed to stay behind a blocking net, but I failed. They were all swimming free in minutes. I was worried that the bass would have them all for snacks.
Lately, I've hooked several 8-9 inch cats that are very healthy and sassy. I assume these are the little guys from June 1.
But, when I feed, all I see are lots of bluegill and a couple of silly bass who act like the pellets are dragon flies six inches above the water. Now and then my big grass carp appear for a snack. Now and then, the remaining big catfish appears. But, so far, none of the little cats ever show up for pellets.
By spring, I hope to have several cages built. They will be for pellet training and fattening new fish.
Good fishn'
Ken
