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Stocking schedule by species

Channel Catfish stocking schedule — all states.

  • Ictalurus punctatus
  • Put and Take
  • Put and Grow
  • Stocking Now

Channel catfish are the most popular warm-water stocked species in urban fishing programs. Catchable-size fish are stocked in city ponds and small lakes for immediate harvest. They school near structure for the first week, then disperse to mud bottoms, deep holes, and structure breaks. Many southern states stock urban ponds weekly during summer.

National calendar

Typical channel catfish stocking calendar.

Across the 26 states that stock channel catfish, the typical stocking months are below. Specific dates and waters vary by state — consult each agency report.

JanJan — no stocking Channel Catfish typical size: 10–14 inch catchable; 1–3 inch fingerlingFebFeb — no stocking Channel Catfish typical size: 10–14 inch catchable; 1–3 inch fingerlingMarMar — no stocking Channel Catfish typical size: 10–14 inch catchable; 1–3 inch fingerlingAprApr — moderate stocking Channel Catfish typical size: 10–14 inch catchable; 1–3 inch fingerlingMayMay — moderate stocking Channel Catfish typical size: 10–14 inch catchable; 1–3 inch fingerlingJunJun — moderate stocking Channel Catfish typical size: 10–14 inch catchable; 1–3 inch fingerlingJulJul — moderate stocking Channel Catfish typical size: 10–14 inch catchable; 1–3 inch fingerlingAugAug — moderate stocking Channel Catfish typical size: 10–14 inch catchable; 1–3 inch fingerlingSepSep — no stocking Channel Catfish typical size: 10–14 inch catchable; 1–3 inch fingerlingOctOct — no stocking Channel Catfish typical size: 10–14 inch catchable; 1–3 inch fingerlingNovNov — no stocking Channel Catfish typical size: 10–14 inch catchable; 1–3 inch fingerlingDecDec — no stocking Channel Catfish typical size: 10–14 inch catchable; 1–3 inch fingerling
Typical stocking size10–14 inch catchable; 1–3 inch fingerling
Stocking water temperature55–85°F

Targeting

Newly-stocked channel catfish.

Stocked channel cats hit chicken liver, cut bait, prepared catfish baits, and live worms. Fish on bottom near structure — pier ends, downed trees, and deeper holes. Urban fishing pond stockings produce best in the first 48 hours after release.

pondslakesreservoirsrivers

States

That stock channel catfish.

10 states have notable channel catfish stocking programs. Click through for the state-specific schedule and official agency report.

Channel Catfish stocking alerts — your home water.

Bield Fish parses agency stocking reports across states and pushes alerts when channel catfish hit your saved waters.

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