(Lewis) The Iowa Department of Natural Resources recently stocked Channel Catfish in several lakes. DNR Fisheries Biologist John Lorenzen explained that southwest Iowa typically receives its supply of channel catfish in odd-numbered years. However, due to maintenance work at the Lake Rathbun Hatchery, the region received its allotment earlier than usual this year. As a result, the catfish fingerlings were significantly smaller than normal, measuring just 1.5 inches instead of the usual eight inches.
The water needed to meet the criteria includes a lake with high catfishing pressure/a poor predator population, poor water quality, borrow pits, or quarries. If a lake met one or more of these criteria, small catfish would have a better chance of surviving to larger sizes.
Lorenzen says that locally, the DNR stocked 3,000 into Atlantic Quarry Pond number #3 and 720 into Atlantic Quarry Pond number #1. The Conklin Fish Farm received 800, Littlefield received 7000, and Big Lake in Council Bluffs received 500. Orient received 1,600, and Meadow Lake received 3,400. Lorenzen says they stocked some lakes and borrow pits further south in their district and along Interstate 29.
Lorenzen says the DNR is limited to where these fish are stocked. Because of their small size, they are susceptible to predation. He says next year, they will be receiving their normal eight-inch catfish, which will go into all four lakes.
