[Lawdog]

I have received permission to fish a private pond that the owners father stocked years ago. This pond is deep, water is 48 degrees at the surface. One of the fish in the pond is a catfish that is black except for a pale yellow belly. Shape is kind of like that of a channel cat. I caught one that weighted 11 lbs. 14 oz. on a slow rolled spinnerbait while fishing for bass. The owner knows that his father stocked the catfish in the pond but has no idea what kind they are. Anyone here have any thoughts or ideas what type they are? Lawdog :?

 

[John]

Help With Identifying A Black Catfish......

Without a picture it's hard to say for sure, but I'm sure that none of the bullhead species get as big as your fish. If it's tail is forked I'd say it's a channel cat, it could possibly be a blue that somebody stocked in the pond.

The color of catfish will vary quite a bit depending on the water clarity. The more clear the water, the darker the fish.

 

[Lawdog]

Help With Identifying A Black Catfish......

John,

Generally the water is "gin clear" running 40+ feet at the dam and you are most likely right about this effecting the color of the fish. The bluegills I have caught there are dark in color but also very vivid in color, same with the bass. Because of the pale yellow belly do you think that these catfish could be some type of hi-bred channel cat? All channel cats I've seen had white bellies. Thanks for your response. Lawdog

 

[John]

Help With Identifying A Black Catfish......

Well, there's no way of knowing for sure, but I'd be more inclined to say it's just a channel with some color variation. I catch one now and then with some light yellow on the belly. Did you happen to see if the yellow would rub off? It might be from where the fish has been layin on the bottom.