Raising catfish in cold climates?

fishhead · #21 03/06/10, 07:52 AM

Springs are normally devoid of oxygen and high in carbon dioxide and nitrogen. What happens is that when spring water comes to the surface it picks up oxygen and gives off the other gases to the atmosphere. That can be replicated with compressed air delivered to the bottom or a submersible pump. I've used both in my 4' deep ponds to overwinter fish for more than a decade.

Flowing water or springs are not a necessity to keeping fish alive.

Fish do not need lots of space to survive and grow. I've seen photos of trout raised in a jar until they looked like packed sardines. They had constantly flowing water and were fed regularly. Supposedly walleyes require hard bottoms and clear water to live. I've raised walleye fingerlings in my little 1/2 acre ponds with silt bottoms and water so green you couldn't see your hand. They did well enough to reach 12" in 5 months from fry.

I would check with your DNR to see what species are allowed and what species are suitable for your pond and go from there. You might even check some of the "minnow" species. They feed low on the food chain, may be tolerant of low oxygen and still reach an edible size. Plus they may spawn in your pond. There may also be a market for them to fishermen.

tinknal · #22 03/06/10, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paquebot

Bullhead catfish are able to enter a state somewhere between hibernation and estivation. That means that their metabolism slows down so that they can cope with minimum oxygen. Some species are able to survive curled up in a sealed ball of hard mud with just a tiny breathing hole. In many shallow lakes, they are the only North American fishes which can survive. That's why MN, as well as many other Northern states, have lakes which will only support them as has been done for thousands of years. When the waters can no longer support normal activity, they simply shut down and take a nap until breakup.

Martin

In Northern Minnesota we call them "Iowa Trout"

fishhead · #23 03/06/10, 06:21 PM

When my lake froze out one winter the bullheads crowded into the muskrat burrows to take advantage of the air/water interface. When they ran out of oxygen and suffocated. The entire burrows were packed with bullheads.

Dexter · #24 03/07/10, 12:12 AM

Fishhead, how deep/wide is this pond? How about stocking rate- was it near summertime capacity? Thanks.

fantasymaker · #25 03/07/10, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dexter

but catfish will scavenge where trout are pretty picky.
Another option is carp. While I've not tried eating them and assume them to be nasty .

LOL If you think Carp are nasty wait till you try catfish! Like you said they are scavengers ,its basically the same as eating vulture and just about as tasty,
Try your native species most are tastier and really not as pick as you might think.

paintlady · #26 03/07/10, 08:08 AM

Quote:

HUH?????"?

Are you really from Minnesota?
__________________

Yes I am! And lack of oxygen can cause fish kill caused by frozen ponds and a heavy snow load which blocks off the sunlight. They use pond aerators in placed here to keep the water circulating.
Where are YOU from?

tinknal · #27 03/07/10, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paintlady

Yes I am! And lack of oxygen can cause fish kill caused by frozen ponds and a heavy snow load which blocks off the sunlight. They use pond aerators in placed here to keep the water circulating.
Where are YOU from?

Ah, you see, you changed your post.

First post you said "will"

This post said "can"

Big difference. I agree that winter kill "can" happen, but do not agree that it necessarily "will" happen.

fishhead · #28 03/07/10, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dexter

Fishhead, how deep/wide is this pond? How about stocking rate- was it near summertime capacity? Thanks.

My lake is 180 acres and about 6' deep. It's a natural lake so the fish population doesn't get to a level that could cause summerkill or winterkill. That happens regardless of fish biomass. Even in a heavily stocked commercial catfish pond fish only account for about 15% of oxygen demand. The other 85% comes from plankton, bacteria and invertebrates.

The ponds I referred to were my commercial fish ponds. They ranged from 1/4 acre to 2 1/2 acres and held about 4' of water.