CHANNEL CATFISH CULTURE IN THE UNITED STATES BY Leonard Lovshin Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures Auburn University, AL 36849 Channel Catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus ) Native Range of Channel Catfish in the United States Food Habits Preferred Habitat Rivers Reservoirs and lakes MaximumWeight The world angling record is 26.4 kg caught in Santee Cooper reservoir, South Carolina Reproductive Live History Sexual maturity is reached in to years in the southeastern U S Spawning takes place in a cavity formed by rocks, logs or a hole in a lake or river bank Preferred spawning water temperatures: 21-29 C, with optimal temperature 24 to 26 C Sexual behavior Males defend a territory/cavity Female enters the cavity and spawns Males incubate eggs and defend fry Males can spawn with more than one female a season Spawning cavity Catfish are grown in to 10 earthen ponds with flat bottoms Catfish ponds are filled with either: Filtered surface water or rainfall Well water .. .Channel Catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus ) Native Range of Channel Catfish in the United States Food Habits Preferred Habitat Rivers Reservoirs and lakes MaximumWeight The world angling record... kg caught in Santee Cooper reservoir, South Carolina Reproductive Live History Sexual maturity is reached in to years in the southeastern U S Spawning takes place in a cavity formed by rocks,... box Spawning occurs during May and June in the Southeastern U S Spawning cans are checked every to days for spawns Hatching Shed Eggs are transported to a hatching shed Eggs are placed in 5-mm