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Mudcat Problem
#13188212
06/17/19 03:13 PM
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Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 4
GoodS
OP
Green Horn
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OP
Green Horn
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 4 |
Thanks to the drought and my cousin Terry the bass in my 1+ acre pond have been wiped out. All I seem to catch are mudcat. These are those smelly cats with the stiff pointed fins.
I was told the bass was the best way to get rid of them and of course that’s what I’m trying to repopulate. 2 months ago I stocked over $700 worth of small fingerling bass, minnows, and bluegill. The fish came from 2 places: one of those Arkansas companies that deliver all over Texas and that place down the road from me in Hallettsville. Yes, I told them I already had mudcats and wanted to get rid of them.
Did I just give these hardheads a feast on bass or is there any way they can survive the mudcats? Do I need to stock with mature fish?
I am afraid I wasted my time, energy and $$.
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Re: Mudcat Problem
[Re: GoodS]
#13188733
06/17/19 11:55 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,326
Meadowlark
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,326 |
If you went to Kenneth Henneke Fish Hatchery in Hallettsville you did not waste your time or energy. They are excellent lake management folks...and if you didn't go to them you may want to give them a call and discuss your situation.
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Re: Mudcat Problem
[Re: GoodS]
#13193107
06/22/19 11:05 AM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 662
Dave Davidson
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 662 |
I doubt that they got ALL of the bass but it won’t hurt to restock. And, you’re right about the cats getting their share. A better plan might be to nuke the pond and then start over. But, I would probably try the way you did. Start fishing for the cats.
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Re: Mudcat Problem
[Re: GoodS]
#13194028
06/23/19 06:09 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,567
Mckinneycrappiecatcher
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,567 |
Mudcats are FOOD for big fish. Disclaimer, I am not an expert by any means, but what I would do is stock channel cats and a few blues if you can find them. Once those channels reach about 3 lbs they’re gonna gorge themselves on those little bullheads. If you could get your hands on some mature bass that would likely help too. I doubt they got all your fish too, however, the bluegill and minnows were probably overkill as those were forage species. The goal here in my mind is to make the bullheads the forage species. This is what I would do, but is by no means a cooker cutter way for every situation. Good luck with your pond!
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Re: Mudcat Problem
[Re: GoodS]
#13198870
06/28/19 04:41 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,750
Outdoordude
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,750 |
Bullheads do provide forage for largemouth but they also tend to create muddy water which suppresses productivity across the whole system and they compete directly for food/habitat with better forage species like bluegill. My general recommendation if bullheads are prolific in a pond is to drain, kill and restart. I agree with Meadow though, there are many variables to consider so chat with a pond management consultant. They can answer in minutes what would take hours to write/read here in text.
Scott Jones
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Re: Mudcat Problem
[Re: GoodS]
#13199514
06/29/19 01:33 PM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 271
J2H1
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 271 |
I know rotenone has been used in ponds to eradicate fish population. No idea how soon you could start over after such a treatment.
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Re: Mudcat Problem
[Re: GoodS]
#13245166
08/12/19 08:02 PM
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Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 4
GoodS
OP
Green Horn
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OP
Green Horn
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 4 |
Update: I made 4 fishing traps. I took used cattle protein tubs ( I have about 50 laying around from my cattle operation) and wire tied them on the open ends facing each other. I put plastic catfish throats on the ends. I purchased them online for about $6 each. I drilled holes all around the tubs so they would sink at a fair rate. After making a few adjustments I am now able to extract 6-10 of those nasty bullheads (in each trap) every couple days. I am using chicken livers in small cricket traps. I have also used cheese baits but they don't seem to last as long. I dump the fish along the shore and the varmints are loving it!
Lets hope this will give the bass a fighting chance.
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Re: Mudcat Problem
[Re: GoodS]
#13245214
08/12/19 08:49 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,326
Meadowlark
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,326 |
Now that's being creative! It will take time and lots of work for your approach to work. According to an internet source, " The females will lay 1,700 to 7,000 eggs, depositing up to 700 at each spawning. The eggs hatch within 5 to 10 days." That's a lot of bullheads.
I'm afraid you are facing an uphill battle, but got to give you credit for trying.
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Re: Mudcat Problem
[Re: GoodS]
#13245599
08/13/19 02:27 AM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,117
Flip-n-go
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,117 |
GoodS you could trap & sell those mudcats for bait to the catfishermen around you. Flathead/Aps love those mudcats. Might offset some of your stocking costs. Just a thought. Good luck with the bass lake.
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Re: Mudcat Problem
[Re: GoodS]
#13246053
08/13/19 02:49 PM
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Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 699
Lon Hagler
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 699 |
I agree with Flip-n-go. We frequent a fishery in New Mexico quite often and have been going there for over 30 years. Over the past 5 years with the drought the lake got very low and the mudcats did start to take over. Once the water came back up you could not use worms without catching one. The New Mexico Game and Fish noticed the problem and took action. The method they used was introducing flathead catfish to the lake. I spoke with a park ranger and he confirmed they did stock flatheads in the lake to address the mudcat problem. Within a year there was a noticible decline in mudcat population and I have not caught one the past three times I have gone back even using worms on the bottom. It didn't seem to effect the walleye, trout, or bass populations as this is still designated trophy bass waters. Page 56: http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/dow...es-Management-Plan-2016-SCG-Approved.pdf
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Re: Mudcat Problem
[Re: GoodS]
#13246755
08/13/19 11:51 PM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 41,155
butch sanders
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 41,155 |
we were told in our tank (7 acres, spring fed, in Jacksboro) when TP&W used to stock 1 in 100 small bass would survive
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Re: Mudcat Problem
[Re: GoodS]
#13247133
08/14/19 09:44 AM
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,861
jackiekennedyfishingguide
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,861 |
A long time ago at Fairfield Lake you could catch as many mud cat(bull heads) as you wanted matter of fact it was about all you could catch. TPWD put a few flathead catfish in and the next year stocked a lot of them. In a short while there was no mud cat, and hasn't been any caught since that I know of. This is the TPWD stocking report for Fairfield: Catfish, Flathead 1975 4,900 Catfish, Flathead 1974 407
Last edited by jackiekennedyfishingguide; 08/14/19 09:48 AM.
903-603-3793 Clients or I have landed eight state record fish and eighteen water body records. TPWD Elite Angler jackiekennedyfishingguide
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Re: Mudcat Problem
[Re: GoodS]
#13247421
08/14/19 02:34 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,127
salex
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,127 |
You are getting lots of opinions and advice. Outdoor Dude, Meadowlark, and Dave Davidson have been managing ponds for decades. If the mudcat problem is prolific you are best to drain, rotenone the remaining pockets of water and start over. I like to rotenone twice about 3 weeks apart. Wait 30-60 days before restocking if your pond fills up qucikly. If you drain this enables you to rework the habitat. You can restock for $500 to $750 depending on your goals. Spending time ane energy to trap a few dozen or a few hundred mudcats is a lot of work and likely will not get rid of the majority. Adding Flatheads is generally not a good idea if you have any hope of growing a solid bass or bluegill lake.
Last edited by salex; 08/14/19 03:50 PM. Reason: test
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Re: Mudcat Problem
[Re: Meadowlark]
#13248977
08/15/19 06:18 PM
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Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 4
GoodS
OP
Green Horn
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OP
Green Horn
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 4 |
Another Update:
I was checking a trap yesterday and I had a small bass. I hope somehow the bass can eventually wipe out the Bullhead as they are being hatched.
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Re: Mudcat Problem
[Re: GoodS]
#13253134
08/19/19 09:55 PM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,139
Lake Fork Guide Marc Mitchell
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,139 |
I have found the best way to get rid of mud cat's or yellow cats is put a 10 pound blue cat in your pond. They love those little cats. They have helped me and my customers ponds/lakes many times over in managing the bad fish. Never seem to effect any other species that we could tell.
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Re: Mudcat Problem
[Re: Lake Fork Guide Marc Mitchell]
#13254829
08/21/19 05:53 AM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,567
Mckinneycrappiecatcher
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,567 |
I have found the best way to get rid of mud cat's or yellow cats is put a 10 pound blue cat in your pond. They love those little cats. They have helped me and my customers ponds/lakes many times over in managing the bad fish. Never seem to effect any other species that we could tell. Yep, adult blues and channels eat those bullheads like candy and won’t destroy your fishery like flatheads will! You’ll never have a bullhead problem in a pond with a population of adult blues and channels
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Re: Mudcat Problem
[Re: Mckinneycrappiecatcher]
#13255014
08/21/19 01:38 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 39,259
Dan90210 ☮
Jr Deputy Dan
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Jr Deputy Dan
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 39,259 |
I have found the best way to get rid of mud cat's or yellow cats is put a 10 pound blue cat in your pond. They love those little cats. They have helped me and my customers ponds/lakes many times over in managing the bad fish. Never seem to effect any other species that we could tell. Yep, adult blues and channels eat those bullheads like candy and won’t destroy your fishery like flatheads will! You’ll never have a bullhead problem in a pond with a population of adult blues and channels I agree. Would go with a few adult blues. Flatheads are just freaking mean and will eat your bass for snacks. Bass wont eat bullheads if they dont have to. Those spines are not good for them. I would not count on bass controlling bullheads....blues though, yup.
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Re: Mudcat Problem
[Re: GoodS]
#13255909
08/22/19 05:57 AM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,567
Mckinneycrappiecatcher
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,567 |
I’d go out on a limb and say hybrid striper would probably devour those things as well. Those spines aren’t nearly as nasty as one would think. Probably easier forage to get down than a bluegill.
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Re: Mudcat Problem
[Re: GoodS]
#13324871
10/28/19 03:41 PM
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Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 4
GoodS
OP
Green Horn
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OP
Green Horn
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 4 |
Update: I had given up on catching any bass this year. All I usually catch are mudcat and a few Bluegill. My son and a friend went this weekend using rattle-traps and deep-diving-rattle type lures. They caught about 15-20 1-1.5 lb. Bass. The Bass may be winnig over the mudcats. Farewell to mudcats!! All we need now is rain.
That guy from Hallettsville said they would survive. At least some of them.
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Re: Mudcat Problem
[Re: GoodS]
#13325985
10/29/19 02:10 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 39,259
Dan90210 ☮
Jr Deputy Dan
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Jr Deputy Dan
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 39,259 |
Hey if they caught that many bass in that same size the ones you stocked are making it!
Good luck and keep us posted! Any pics of this pond we could look at? I just want to picture how it looks.
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