Channel Cats in Potholes?

[C-Money]

Had a good trip to the Potholes today. Was surprised to catch my first channel cat. It was a little guy, excited to catch one. When did channel cats get into Potholes?  If they are there, are they in Moses to?  Must be part of a stocking program?

[BigGoonTuna]

They've been in there a long time, but never caught one personally.  I couldn't keep the bullheads off when I was ther in june, though.

[woodywsu]

They are in there and plenty over 20

[C-Money]

They must spawn successfully in there. This fish was 12".

[Chad E.]

They must spawn successfully in there. This fish was 12".

There are channel cats in both moses lake and potholes  as well as multiple bullhead species.  I've seen channel cats in the mid 20 lb range come from both lakes.  They are successfully spawning as multiple year class fish can be caught when you get around them.

[plugger]

Caught a 20lb in moses on a shad rap 2 years ago going 2.50 mph. I think potholes has a larger population. Caught a few in there over the years. There are guys that target them and do quite well.

[gaddy]

I really hate to see they are in there. Osullivan used to be the premier perch, crappie, bass and yes some walleye fishing. Trout was also pretty good. In the early eighties the fishing was outstanding and you could always find the pan fish. Last time I fished up there, all of my holes were dry, haven't been back. I am no biologist, but it seems to me that the more predatory fish of a larger variety you put into an eco system, The less of the smaller fish will survive. What does a walleye eat, Like two times it's weight a day? I think that's what i heard, and the last one i caught was like 7 lbs. Now add in the catfish and it doesn't look to good for the smaller fish. Correct me if I am wrong here, but i have seen the fishing go down hill at Osullivan over the years. Alot of the old timers that i knew that did fish for the Walleye, only fished at certain times of the year due to water temp's and fish quality, That left the walleye the rest of the year to do nothing but eat and breed. Now they have Catfish. I wonder what Rod Meeseberg would have thought about this?

[C-Money]

You may be right Gaddy. I can say....that while I was walleye fishing on potholes the other day, I caught bluegills, perch, channel catfish, large and smallmouth bass, and walleye. This was in one of my "walleye" holes. Potholes seems alive and well, at least on that particular trip!

[hunt_fish]

I really hate to see they are in there. Osullivan used to be the premier perch, crappie, bass and yes some walleye fishing. Trout was also pretty good. In the early eighties the fishing was outstanding and you could always find the pan fish. Last time I fished up there, all of my holes were dry, haven't been back. I am no biologist, but it seems to me that the more predatory fish of a larger variety you put into an eco system, The less of the smaller fish will survive. What does a walleye eat, Like two times it's weight a day? I think that's what i heard, and the last one i caught was like 7 lbs. Now add in the catfish and it doesn't look to good for the smaller fish. Correct me if I am wrong here, but i have seen the fishing go down hill at Osullivan over the years. Alot of the old timers that i knew that did fish for the Walleye, only fished at certain times of the year due to water temp's and fish quality, That left the walleye the rest of the year to do nothing but eat and breed. Now they have Catfish. I wonder what Rod Meeseberg would have thought about this?

Walleye fishing the past couple years has been the best I've seen it compared to before, I've been fishing it since 1998 or so.  I haven't had a problem catching crappie and perch either during certain times of the year off the dock and I know you can catch a mess of perch at certain spots during different times of the year.  Sure there isn't a huge population compared to back in the 80's probably for crappie, but just think of why.... Might be because of people taking bucket loads of them back then.  I know the last couple of years they've tried to draw down the water later in the summer to help the spawns and smaller fish, they also put in those artificial pvc things for the fish in the main lake once it is drawn down.

Nice little catfish though, caught a couple of them trolling for walleye earlier in the year, nothing decent sized though.  I know they've been in there since I've fished it.

[gaddy]

I just remember the year i worked at Mardon and the years I lived above the lake, My in laws lived there for years before and after and we could always find the fish. It has gotten tougher over the years to find the fish, and like said, It is nothing like It used to be. The breeding grounds for the perch and crappie are the feeding grounds for the bass, walleye and now the catfish. I don't believe the smaller species can survive in great numbers, or the size that we used to catch them, when the predatory fish are so prolific and hungry. I used to have humps to find perch or rock piles to find crappie, also had spots to find some smallies. They had all dried up and that is why i quit going up there. Things have changed. Have fun Up there, It was a blast for me while it lasted, and that is where i taught my kids to fish.

[BLUEBULLS]

If I were you I'd head back up there. Potholes is as good now as I've ever seen it. Bass, walleye, and perch are doing excellent. Crappie really seem to cycle especially in a reservoir that's not "new" anymore but they're making a great comeback right now. I'm not positive but I'd guess the man-made structure they've added recently is a big contributor. It's hard to walleye fish at times with the bazillion perch in there the last few years. Bass fishing is definitely at a peak right now. I sure wish walleye ate twice their body weight a day. More often than not, a walleye will have an empty stomach when opened up. The areas and structure may have changed slightly but I think you'd be impressed if you fished it for a few days.

[plugger]

There were two contributing factors that hurt the pan fishing, and neither had to do with walleye. From my research(No I am not a bio) Mount ST Helens was the first blow. Talk to any old timers and they will tell of shore lines loaded with dead crappie after the blast. Plus from what I have been told, the ash suffocated the spawning grounds. Then you have to consider this is an old reservoir, All the flooded
brush, timber is gone from the bottom. Small fish need cover to survive. Every fish in that lake with the exception of carp will eat fish. The adding of the habitat boxes in there is making a huge difference. Its nothing to catch a hundred perch a day fishing walleye. There are good populations of crappie and bluegill also, they may not be were you used to catch them and that's probably because the cover is no longer there, But there in there.

[gaddy]

Thanks for the info. Will have to get back up there and give it a shot.