Some catfish info from AGFC

[Quillback]

Got this email from AGFC today - I didn't know that they fin clip hatchery cats.  

Biologists sampled the Channel Catfish population in Beaver Lake over the past few weeks and are in the middle of a stock contribution study. AGFC annually stocks 60,000 Channel Catfish (average size of 9 inches) in Beaver Lake to supplement the natural spawn and provide better fishing opportunities. To evaluate stock contribution, AGFC staff from Charlie Craig Hatchery and District Biologists have marked (adipose fin clip) the stocked Channel Catfish for the past three years. A total of 180,000 Channel Catfish have been marked in the past 3 years! Staff can determine how these fish contribute to the fishery by sampling the lake with baited hoop nets. Staff plan to conduct an angler survey starting in March 2021 on Beaver Lake to get more information on these stocked fish. We will provide periodic updates on the project.

[Greg B.]

I saw an article on that last summer.  They put out hoop nets and recorded the movement from the area where they were released.  It was an interesting study.  
 

I can tell you that the channel cat population seems to be getting better based upon my recent crappie fishing trips.  I’ve caught a number of them on jigs and don’t really recall catching numbers of them in the past.