Because of their importance to sport fishermen and their adaptation to small pond and lake environments, the channel catfish is an ideal small impoundment stocking selection.

Channel catfish are one of the most highly prized and stocked sport fish in Missouri. They are splendid fighters and great to eat.

Channel catfish is an omnivorous feeder, consuming both plant and animal material.  Food is located by its highly developed sensory system and, to a lesser extent, by sight.  Their diversified diet includes insects and their larvae, crayfish, worms, seeds and various seasonal fruits that drop into the water, small channel catfish fish may eat filamentous algae.  Fish become a part of their diet when they reach 12” to 14” long.  However, channel catfish do not play a significant fish predator role; most fish they eat are injured or dead.  The channel catfish readily consumes commercial fish food as their major food source or as a supplement to their regular diet.  The feed to flesh conversion for channel catfish is more efficient than most domesticated poultry or livestock with 1 1/2 to 2 pounds of feed to 1 pound of flesh gain.

Some people cling to the conviction that dog food or other cheaper domesticated livestock food is cheaper to feed to channel catfish.  Research shows, normally, it would take 2 to 4 pounds of dog food to do the same good as 1 pound of fish food.  Click on “Fish Production Enhancement Strategies” for more information about supplemental feeding of commercial fish food.

If you decide to stock only channel catfish, we suggest you obtain the Missouri Department of Conservation's Aquaguide:  Monoculture of Channel Catfish in Farm Ponds.  This Aquaguide discusses pond preparation, stocking, feeding and harvesting.

Although channel catfish may reproduce in ponds/lakes, the survival of their young is very poor to non-existent when other fish species are present. Periodic restocking of 8" or larger channel catfish are required to sustain a fishable population.

Growth rates depend on the availability of food and the duration of the growing season. Some channel catfish live for up to 10 -15 years, but most do not exceed 7 - 10 years. Channel catfish can reach a weight of 45 pounds or more, however, most small impoundment fish seldom exceed 10 - 15 pounds.

Feeding rates vary with water temperature. The optimum growing period for channel catfish is when the water temperature ranges from 80 - 85 degrees F.

We offer a large variety of sizes; from 4-6” for initial stocking to 1 to 4 pounds each, to accommodate any stocking objective or budget. Catfish are usually available from the first of March through mid-November.

Channel catfish are well adapted to cage culture. Cage culture is another one of our specialties. We can send you free helpful information if you would like to try to grow channel catfish in cages.

Country Fish Farm, LLC can create a package right for your pond or lake fish stocking needs and budget. For more information on our fish, pond and lake aerators and fountains or for a free estimate on our pond and lake fish stocking  call (573) 729-4383, fax (573)729-5021 (24/7) or E-Mail Us today! Yes! We accept MasterCard, Visa and Discover.

Thank you for considering Country Fish Farm, LLC for your Missouri aquaculture and fish pond and lake stocking needs!