Daryl Bauer, Fisheries Outreach Program Manager
Our Nebraska state fish hatcheries produce thousands of channel catfish for stocking around the state each year. Most of those fish are ten inches long when stocked. They need some time to grow before being quality fish for anglers to catch.
In recent years our production staff has been able to raise limited numbers of channel cats to larger sizes before stocking. These fish are ideal products for urban and parks waters where beginning anglers, especially kids, can catch them. This year’s stockings will be occurring soon:
Larger channel catfish will be stocked in select waters
Nebraska catfish anglers are getting a bonus. Larger channel catfish will be stocked in select waters.
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission fish hatcheries will stock channel cats of approximately 15 inches in length to provide anglers with an additional opportunity to catch these larger fish. Typically, they are stocked around 10 inches.
“We are stocking these fish so anglers of all ages and experience levels can come out and take advantage of this opportunity to catch and harvest this resource,” Game and Parks’ Private and Community Waters Specialist Jordan Katt said.
The week of June 29, channel catfish will be stocked at the following water bodies, including expected quantities:
Clark Pond, Sutton (50); Detention Pond, Sutton (50); Schwab Pond, Sutton (50); Lakeview Park Lake, Henderson (360); Crystal Springs West, Fairbury (440); Weeping Water Pond, Weeping Water (460); Optimist Lake, Auburn (470); Independence Landing Pond, Seward (140); David City Middle Pond, David City (260); David City West Pond, David City (350); North Platte I-80 Lake (300).
For more resources on fishing in Nebraska, go to OutdoorNebraska.gov/fish.