Building a Catfish Pond
Catfish are popular both for sport fishing and as a table fish, especially in the Deep South. Channel catfish can be found in rivers, lakes and ponds across the United States. They can get as big as 40-50 pounds with the world record channel cat weighing in at 58 pounds. A catfish is so called because of its cat-like “whiskers” around its mouth. These whiskers help the fish to taste which allows it to determine what is and isn’t food in murky waters.
Catfish are increasingly farmed both commercially and by hobbyists. Building a catfish pond is relatively easy and will provide both sport and food for many years if maintained carefully. Catfish are one of the only farmed species that can thrive in ponds less than 1 acre.
The first consideration in building a catfish pond is location. If you are converting an existing pond, then this has already been determined for you. If you are building a pond from scratch, however, you will need to consider such things as access to rainfall, watershed design, and soil structure.
All ponds are subject to evaporation and water must be replenished regularly. Although you can use nearby streams or wells as a water source, most smaller ponds are refilled with rain water. This means that the pond should be located where it has full access to rain and not under an awning or other obstruction.
The design of the surrounding watershed is also important. A watershed refers to the drainage of water from the highest surrounding point to the lowest. If your pond is uphill from your house, for example, you may experience flooding when rainfall overflows the pond. The watershed design is also important if your property is surrounded by farmland. Chemical runoff and animal feces may contaminate your pond if located downhill from the fields.
Your soil structure will dictate whether or not you need to line your pond. Sandy soils will drain away your pond water without lining. You can purchase lining material from an aquatics store or your can used the rubberized roofing material used by roofers. Your pond is likely to be wider than a single sheet so you will need to glue the seams together.
When digging your pond, consider the size of the mature catfish. They need enough depth to be able to hide from predators like raccoons and cats. Your pond should be at least 36 inches deep to make the fish comfortable and to keep it from freezing solid in winter.
Once the pond has been lined, it can be filled. If using a chlorinated source of water like a municipal supply, let the chlorine dissipate naturally into the air for 48 hours before introducing the fish. Catfish should be stocked at a scale of between 300 and 500 fish per acre. An acre is 42,000 square feet so if your pond is less than this, reduce your stocking level proportionately. Keep in mind that the fish will procreate in the pond and the population will increase. There are many great books and articles on managing a catfish pond.
Catfish can be one of the easiest and cheapest (not to mention, tastiest) meats you can grow yourself. Having your own catfish pond gives you another excuse to sit in the grass with your fishing pole and your daydreams.
