Abundance and Demography of Channel Catfish in a Large Northern River

Abstract

A northern population of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus was assessed to ascertain the abundance and demographics of the population. Standardized trap-netting was conducted from 1997 to 2002 in six reaches of the Ottawa River. A total of 13,197 channel catfish were sampled. The relative stock density was 18.5% stock, 47.7% quality, 27.2% preferred, 4.4% memorable, and 0.5% trophy. Mean relative weight was 71 for all channel catfish combined and for the different size-classes it was 37 for stock, 61 for quality, 88 for preferred, 133 for memorable, and 120 for trophy. Growth was slow compared with that of more southerly populations but longevity was greater (ages of up to 26 years). Annual mortality was 15.7%. Population estimates ranged from 38,445 to 220,924 in the various reaches, and density ranged from 3.5 to 31.7/ha. Channel catfish are an abundant and underutilized species in the Ottawa River; however, given their life history traits, this fishery is susceptible to overexploitation.