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Abstract
Channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, juveniles (mean weight 78.0 ± 3.5 g) were stocked into nine 0.04-ha earthen ponds at three rates (4,940 fish/ha, 12,350 fish/ha, and 24,700 fish/ha) and fed a prepared diet (32% protein) according to a fish size/water temperature-dependant feeding chart for 160 days during the winter. Morning water temperatures averaged 5.8°c during the study. No significant differences (P > 0.05) were found in individual fish length, survival, and percentage weight gain among treatments and averaged 19.4 cm, 96.2%, and -13.0%, respectively. No significant differences (P > 0.05) in whole-body composition were found among treatments. Percentage moisture, protein, and fat averaged 12.4, 50.8, and 28.4%, repectively. Stocking juvenile channel catfish at the lower rate, 4,940 fish/ha, did not significantly increase winter growth compared to growth of fish stocked at higher rates (12,350) and 24,700 fish/ha).