In talking to a TP&Wfish biologist a couple of years ago, I was told that the smaller and midsize catfish produce more than the larger ones. He said as they get older they often only spawn every couple of yrs. Makes sense to me, my older goats raise less babies than my younger ones.

j49

If you have a pond you want to start over in dump some flatties in it. There wont be anything left after long and you will have to get them out, but its a natural way to do it. Sorry, OT mostly.

It's very difficult to manage anything in a river IMO. Too many variables to control with flooding. Well, when we used to get rain anyways... nowadays, maybe you're on to something.

bullet I have considered that as well. It seems the frequency of river rises has decreased to the point it has stopped running more times in the last 10 years than it has been on a significant rise. Also after flood events we could tell there were new fish, but not usually yellows unless they were small. Maybe my faulty mind just thinks that, I know your point is valid.

Thanks for the comments. I have not seriously catfished in my adult life and I am very appreciative of the input here.

Maintaining fish out of the river is not possible. Using the water in a closed recirculating culture or flow through is. Not a simple task though. Legalities, licensing and such play a huge role.

Possibly buy your own fingerlings to stimulate population. Might just end up feeding the larger fish if there is not a productive food source though. Bigger brood stock doesnt guarentee a greater fecundity.
Just my .02

As to what "j49" noted above:
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In talking to a TP&W fish biologist a couple of years ago, I was told that the smaller and midsize catfish produce more than the larger ones. He said as they get older they often only spawn every couple of yrs. Makes sense to me, my older goats raise less babies than my younger ones.
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Somehow I already knew or felt that that was the case, but many won't believe it.