NEWS RELEASE

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

August 15, 2001

CONTACT: Gary Morse (863) 648-3206
Tim Coughlin (863) 648-3202
 

TEN THOUSAND CHANNEL CATFISH STOCKED AT NORTH METRO PARK

SARASOTA - More than 10,000 channel catfish have been stocked in two lakes at North Metro Park by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The fish, ranging from six-12 inches in length, were produced at the FWC's Richloam Fish Hatchery in Webster and are intended to provide recreational anglers with a quality urban fishing opportunity.

The 300-acre reservoir at North Metro Park, which already has a public boat ramp and bank fishing access, was stocked with 9,000 channel catfish. A 13-acre lake at the county park entrance, which will be developed for bank fishing opportunities, was stocked with 1,000 catfish.

Though channel catfish are primarily found in river systems, they also do well in reservoirs that have submerged timber and moving water. FWC fisheries biologists expect channel catfish will grow quickly and increase several inches in length by spring. The fish should reproduce in the large reservoir at North Metro Park, decreasing the need for future stockings.

"A good food base of threadfin shad, lots of submerged timber and flowing water for spawning, all adds up to prime catfish habitat. This reservoir has the potential to produce a great many channel catfish in the five-10 pound range," said FWC Fisheries Biologist Tim Coughlin.

Channel catfish are highly sought after by anglers and have excellent food value. The species commonly grows to weights over 20 pounds with the Florida state record at 44.5 pounds, caught in Lake County in 1985. As a note of interest, catfish sold commercially in restaurants throughout America are often the farm raised variety of channel catfish.

Though many folks think channel catfish feed strictly on dead or decaying items, the truth is they are voracious predators that feed on live fish, invertebrates and other aquatic life. Channel catfish bite readily and can be caught on a wide variety of baits including worms, minnows, artificial lures, chicken livers, cheese balls, hot dogs and specially prepared "stinky baits". In fact, many old-time catfish anglers have developed their own secret bait recipes for catching Mr. Whiskers.

Channel catfish and other freshwater gamefish are often stocked and/or managed by the FWC, in cooperation with other government agencies. The FWC's management efforts at Oscar Scherer State Park have produced a number of "Big Catch" bluegill larger than 11 inches (8 inches for youths). The Big Catch Program honors anglers who catch outstanding specimens of 33 of Florida's most popular freshwater fish species. In time, North Metro Park may produce an equal measure of large channel catfish (31 inches for adults, 23 inches for youth) that qualify for big catch certificates.

For more information about freshwater fishing for catfish, visit the Division of Freshwater Fisheries, Fishing TIps Web site at: www.myfwc.com or call the Division of Fisheries at (863) 648-3202. In addition, a newsletter on catfish angling, prepared by the FWC, is available by contacting "The Catfish Man" through the FWC Web site.