Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations To Stock or Not To Stock Catfish

I have about a 12 acre lake that has crappie bass and bait fish (mainly red ears). I am thinking about stalking some channel cats. Would this hurt in any way my bass population? My main focus is a bass lake, but I would like to do some cat fishing some times. Would there be a problem in stalking some adult channel cats from a local large lake (Lake Oologah)?

We are currently working on the bass balance. We are removing some under performing fish (Rw less then 80% in the 11-15" range). And we are removing all the crappie we can.

I guess my main question is will these channel cats compete for food with the bass. If not, I don't see a problem with stocking them.

Ok12 we rec. quite often in pond with many user groups to stock them. The question is how many, more so..how many big ones will survive. I like 50-100/acre if they plan to pull out 90% by the time they reach 2 lbs. If they have low harvest intentions no more than 25/acre. This probably assumes some intial mortality since we are talking about 8-11 inch. If getting from another lake target small ones. If getting big cats (especially if blue) then they will 100% takeaway some food from the bass mouth. It is all about goals so willing to do that then go for it. The 8-11 inch cats are cheap, so might consider buying from local source as well. THen pull by late next summer.

BTW do you ever get the "real" report back from shock survey?