Channel catfish stockings to boost angling opportunities

To meet management objectives, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will begin stocking more than 150,000 10-inch channel catfish into over 180 water bodies across the state.

These catfish stockings, beginning in late August and continuing into September, will take place in city ponds and rural reservoirs, giving anglers of all ages additional chances to reel in this popular sport fish.

Matthew Perrion, Game and Parks’ fish production supervisor, said this annual effort is designed to bolster fishing opportunities in numerous public waters where natural recruitment may be limited due to habitat constraints or predation.

“Nebraska’s fisheries management includes a large stocking program to maintain and enhance angling resources, particularly when natural reproduction falls short,” Perrion said. “Historically, Game and Parks’ Fisheries Division has stocked ‘advanced fingerling’ channel catfish – typically around 9 to 10 inches – as larger fish are better equipped to avoid predators and thrive in their new environments. By stocking the catfish across a wide array of waters, the division aims to bolster Nebraska’s fishing opportunities and offer family‑friendly opportunities statewide.”

These catfish are well‑prepared for stocking; they were raised from fry at the North Platte State Fish Hatchery beginning in June 2024, overwintered, and then split between the Calamus State Fish Hatchery and the North Platte State Fish Hatchery facility ponds for additional space and further growth.

Find more information about fishing in Nebraska at OutdoorNebraska.gov/fish. To view locations where channel catfish have been stocked, search “Fish Stocking Database” and fill in the form.