Pond Boss Forums Thread Like Summary - What do CC do ?

What good are Channel Catfish in a pond other than to Catch and Eat ?

On another thread about CC, someone made a very salient comment about CC hitting feed. I think it was jludwig but can't recall.

This person talked about how early on, you don't really see the CC feeding. Perhaps they are too timid. But once they reach a certain size to where they are not at risk from other fish or factors, then they will be very visible and active when feeding. This was also based around a comment about CC more likely to feed at low light conditions, but the person talked about how once they reached a certain size, you'd see them come to feed at any time during the day. This has matched my experience.

So, my guess is that you won't really be able to see CC feeding for a year or so, with certainty, until they get to the 12"+ range, or so, or maybe larger.

Jpsdad,
Thanks for the response, exactly what I was wanting to know

I added 13 CC (one pounders) to my 1/4 acre pond a few years ago for something different since my HSB were very hard to get on a hook. I also had a gross abundance of crawdads (I overstocked the new pond when it was refurbished) and the year that I stocked the CC, I only harvested about 1000 craws, compared to the 1500 the year before. The next year, I didn't even put the trap in since the craws no longer came to feeding time. So, CC are very good at balancing out abundant craws. They are still there, just not in crazy numbers. I was concerned that the craws were causing the muddy water problem I was having and figured if the CC added to it...it would be a wash if they cut the craw population down. Turns out my aeration system was causing the turbidity. I did not use it this year and the water has been leaps and bounds better than the previous 6 years...hands down a win. I don't suspect the CC are muddying my waters even at that stocking rate. I will be adding a few more CC next year along with some more HSB.

My CC feed well and more consistent than the HSB, are a pleasure to watch feed, a bit easier to catch on the rare occasion we throw a line, and are surely helping with the BG/HBG populations.