Evaluation of Urban Put-And-Take Channel Catfish Fisheries in Kansas

Understanding how stocked fish contribute to recreational fisheries is critical for efficient management, especially when stocked fish can be a costly component of put-and-take programs. To examine how stocked, catchable-size Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) are utilized by Kansas anglers, we stocked marked Channel Catfish into four urban impoundments over two years (i.e. two impoundments were stocked in 2023 and two were stocked in 2024) and monitored angler catch with creel surveys. The probability of an angler catching zero fish on a trip was lower during stocked years in only one of four instances. Catch rate of successful anglers (i.e. anglers that caught at least one fish on their trip) was higher at one of four study impoundments during stocking years. In total, 57% of angled Channel Catfish were harvested, and marked fish comprised between 31% and 69% of total Channel Catfish harvest at each impoundment during the year of stocking. Approximately 50% of stocked Channel Catfish that were harvested by anglers in the study were caught within 23 days after stocking. Carryover fish from previous years' stockings also comprised 31% to 69% of harvest in stocked years. We also surveyed anglers about their angling preferences and awareness of stocking programs. Approximately half of surveyed anglers were seeking “catfish” and were not aware of programs aimed at urban fisheries management. In general, put-and-take Channel Catfish stockings provided variable results on angler catch and carryover fish from previous years' stockings were an important component of the fisheries. These results suggest decreases in stocking rates may be warranted and stocking dates should be strategically timed to coincide with popular angling times throughout the year to maximize catch of stocked fish.