Western Canada -- catfish query

22 years ago

Early last fall, I started a thread on the ponds forum and respondents suggested that I might expect some success in raising catfish in a medium-size pond here on my rural acreage in B.C.Âs Selkirk Mountains. Further research indicated people have even had success raising them, as food fish, in barrels! I want to raise the fish in my pond, as part of a contained freshwater ecosystem including plants, insects, bacteria, and all.

I have found some general information that suggests some freshwater systems in British Columbia have been stocked with catfish as a sport fish Â I am under the impression that the catfish are not native to B.C. But if they have been stocked in some places, eggs or fry must be obtainable in the province or at least in western Canada.

Does anyone have any idea of where I might inquire for availability and prices for catfish eggs or fry? IÂd prefer a B.C. or Alberta source. The varieties that have been suggested to me are blue catfish or channel catfish.

Thanks.

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Comments (3)

ryan1983
22 years ago
Hey -

I think I might know where you could look:

Lesqueti Island, which is off Texada Island, which lies between the south-east coast of Vancouver Island and the BC mainland.

I heard through the grapevine that some moron stocked a lake on Lesqueti Island with catfish (not sure which species), and the catfish took over, much to the demise of local trout fishermen, I'm sure.

-Ryan.
joel_bc
Original Author
22 years ago
Ryan, thanks.

The take-over by non-native species is a real concern, I grant. My own situation is that my pond is far from any creek in the area, even farther from the river, and much further from any lake. When I posted on the ponds forum, I explained this fact, because I believe people have the right to be critical if these were not the conditions. (Not that you were throwing the lake-take-over fact at me.)

Yeah, hopefully your post will jog someone's memory, as I am quite a bit inland and would not know who to try to contact out on the island. Thanks for the start!

Joel
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mountainman_bc
21 years ago
Any luck finding catfish? Thinking of the same thing. I think it is actually possible to raise sturgeon in pools too, but not a clue for sources. Trout need too cold of water for my hot sunny spot. No trees yet, need willows asap.