State to Stock Catfish

• In another aquaculture development, the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Monday announced that channel catfish will be stocked into 10 lakes and ponds located throughout the state.
• It marks the first time that the DEP has released catfish into state waters. "Catfish are very popular with anglers throughout the United States and we're looking for them to provide some good summertime fishing here in Connecticut, particularly in our urban fishing waters," said DEP Commissioner Gina McCarthy. "The effort to create and enhance fisheries in urban waters is part of the DEP's 'No Child Left Inside' initiative."
• The Urban Fishing program began last year with the stocking of rainbow trout into Bunnells Pond in Bridgeport and was expanded this year with the addition of Keney Pond in Hartford, Lake Wintergreen in Hamden and Mohegan Park Pond in Norwich.
• "We stock rainbow trout to provide good springtime fishing and now we're adding catfish to provide a year-round fishery," said McCarthy. "These areas will now provide an even better opportunity for children and families to get outside and enjoy fishing."
• Nationally, catfish are the fourth most sought-after type of fish, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation. Catfish are also a favorite food fish and account for about 50 percent of the total value of aquaculture production in the United States. (by Don Casciato on Westport News).