Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Muddy water When to harvest?

I stocked our 5 acre lake early last spring. My mother-in-law feed the fish through the Spring Summer and early Fall I think she is becoming very attached to these fish (like pets) which is ok by me because I know she wont let strangers in to the lake. The channel cat grew very fast as did the bluegill. The Largemouth bass are only about 9” long as of late fall the channel cat grew to what looks like about 12” long. The bluegill vary depending on the species. Every one has been talking about eating some cat fish but I am unsure of when to start harvesting them. I want to wait until they start reproducing. Does anyone know at what age or size the fish need to be before they can be harvested? Thanks for any help.

Vince

Chances are the cafish won't reproduce much in a pond. You will have to keep planting them from time to time anyway. But 12 inches seems a little small for harvest to me. I would let them get a little bigger.

I agree that 12 inches seems a little small. Especially the way they seem to put on weight in their second year. If your catfish are like a lot of pond raised catfish, they start out hook dumb and then get smart real quick. When mine see a cork, they swim around it to feed on pellets but won't bite the bait. If I catch one, they usually quit feeding on the pellets.

If the conditions are right they will readily reproduce. In south georgia they seem to start reproducing around 2 years old. If there were already bass established in the pond where you stocked the catfish they will have a hard time reproducing. Bass love baby catfish and they are somewhat defenseless in their early stages. You can supplement their spawning by adding structure. Old tires, drums, sewage pipes placed in 3-4 feet of water work very well here.

Vincent,
Even though channel cat can reproduce, don't expect much survival. Channel cat spawn last each year, after all other fish have finished. So, baby bluegill and bass eat baby catfish, unless you have perfect habitat for catfish fry to hide. Look at the catfish as "put and take". Put them in, grow them up, catch them, restock.
Set your length limit based on size fish you want to catch. Want to catch and eat 12"? Go ahead. But, a better bang for your buck is to wait for channel cat to reach 14-15", then eat them. Here's why.
You paid $X for the fish, then $X for feed. But, if you feed your catfish to two pounds, they are not costly, plus they are just getting large enough to compete with bass.
My suggestion? When your catfish reach 1 1/2 pounds, start taking and eating some.
That is, unless mom-in-law has named them.