Thread: Blue Cat Stocking

Originally Posted by IceNitro

Hello Craig : I have heard blue cat are being stocked because they eat zebra mussels ; is this true?

IceNitro:

It is true that blue catfish eat zebra mussels. However, they don't eat them at a level to provide zebra mussel population control. Here's a post from 2012 that has some additional info on Kansas blue catfish and zebra mussels. http://www.crappie.com/crappie/ask-t...zebra-mussels/ .

Craig

Interesting read; thanks for the link. So blues are stocked strictly for sport? I assume they can put a hurt on the white perch populations?

We catch them at Grand lake and it's crazy how many zebras are in their bellies. sometimes you can shake them and hear them rattle, when you filet them they spill out all over. Some will have 20 or 30 atleast. Not to be graphic but some have big "rear" holes from passing the zebras and getting cut I assume. I think every blue I've cleaned the last 4 or 5 years down there have had atleast some zebra muscles in them.

Originally Posted by IceNitro

Interesting read; thanks for the link. So blues are stocked strictly for sport? I assume they can put a hurt on the white perch populations?

I can't speak for all the other lakes in Kansas, but El Dorado was stocked with blues to provide increased angling opportunity along with greatly increased trophy fish potential. Blues were first stocked in 2004. Zebra mussels were discovered in 2003. Blues do consume zebra mussels but large scale zebra mussel control was not a big factor in stocking the blues at El Dorado. It's a bonus that the blues consume zebra mussels. White perch were verified in El Dorado in July 2009 and blue catfish due prey upon them. The more larger predators in a lake preying upon white perch, the better! Harvest regulations are being used to manage the blue catfish population to meet the objectives for the reservoir. Blue catfish aren't picky eaters and have a very wide diet. A diet study completed at El Dorado a couple of years ago showed that blues are eating white perch. Again, this is a bonus for the lake but not one of the deciding factors for stocking blues in the first place since white perch were not present at that time.

As you know, blue catfish have the potential to reach much larger sizes than channel catfish. Blue catfish popularity among anglers is quickly growing. Blue catfish are excellent table fare and are usually preferred by anglers over channel catfish. Availability of blue catfish from the KDWPT Hatchery System has led to increased stocking of blue catfish. Through proper fisheries management, Kansas blue catfish can create highly desirable populations offering excellent angling and opportunities at BIG fish that were not possible with channel catfish.

Thank you for your reply Mr. Johnson ; very informative...

I know I'm super excited about them being in Eldorado. it will be fun to have giant fish to chase close to home. And boy they will flat murder a jigging spoon mixed in with white bass and can be some of the most fun fishing ever when doing it like that. And boy does that meat fry up white when they cook! How big have they gotten now Craig? Weight wise?

I wish we could get them in Marion.

Originally Posted by kscatman76

I know I'm super excited about them being in Eldorado. it will be fun to have giant fish to chase close to home. And boy they will flat murder a jigging spoon mixed in with white bass and can be some of the most fun fishing ever when doing it like that. And boy does that meat fry up white when they cook! How big have they gotten now Craig? Weight wise?

kscatman76,

The heaviest blue I've seen was a little over 22 lbs. I've heard reports of larger fish, but I've not seen those fish first hand. Fish are getting larger!