Instructions
Take into consideration the size of the pond or pool in which you'll be keeping the catfish. This will determine the number of fish you'll be able to accommodate. A one acre pond will keep 200 catfish, whereas a koi pond may only hold four or five catfish.
Place things in the water that encourage mating if you want the catfish to reproduce. Things like tree stumps, rock ledges and rock piles will give them something similar to what their chosen breeding environment would be in the wild. You can also sink small trees to give them more hiding places.
Feed the catfish minnows in addition to the insects and small frogs they naturally hunt themselves. Simply purchase minnows from a nursery (likely the same place from where you purchased the catfish) and release them into the pond or pool. The number of minnows you purchase depends upon how many catfish you have. 200 catfish would require 10 pounds of minnows. You'll need to replenish the minnow stock once every six months or so.
Offer floating food during the warmer months (should you choose to use it), once the water has reached a temperature of 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. At colder temperatures, the catfish will stay closer to the bottom and will not come up for the food.
Don't forget to acclimate your fish to their new environment. Just like your indoor aquarium fish, catfish need to get used to the water temperature of their new home. If the nursery sent your catfish home in a plastic bag, secure the bag to the shore, and let it float in the water for an hour or so before releasing the fish into the pond. If your fish were brought home in a bucket, add a quart of water every few minutes to the bucket until the water matches the temperature of the pond before release.
How to Raise Catfish
Whether you're doing it for fun or profit, raising your own catfish can be a very rewarding experience. But before you go out and buy fish, there are a few things you need to know, and a few others you need to consider beforehand. Let's get started, shall we?