Blue cats in the Hag?

 Reply by: bron      Posted: 6/24/2018 6:12:25 AM     Points: 30334    

Ive seen them listed in several NE CO lakes. Would like to see the responses on this. Only lake I feel certain they are there is John Martin.

 Reply by: ColoradoRay      Posted: 6/24/2018 8:34:14 AM     Points: 20981    

How big would those cats be now?

 Reply by: Jimmy DFish      Posted: 6/24/2018 9:25:36 AM     Points: 194    

I believe that the growth rate for blue cats is faster than that of channel cats. From what I have read they can grow up to 4 inches per year. Not sure about CO growth rates though. I'd assume they may be around 15-20 inches. I have fished a few places where they were stocked at and only caught channel cats.

 Reply by: Swigs      Posted: 6/24/2018 5:20:32 PM     Points: 189    

I agree with Jimmy on the current size, indeed 10,000 blue cats were stocked into Lon Hagler on 07/24/2015 by the Las Animas Hatchery staff. Average size at stocking was 3.40 inches.

 Reply by: Fisherguyd      Posted: 6/25/2018 7:29:59 AM     Points: 96    

That's awesome! They are one of the best eating of the catfish species

 Reply by: cookster      Posted: 6/25/2018 8:25:28 AM     Points: 62833    

I’m no biologist but I am a blue cat fisherman and I have never seen a lake support blues without a strong Shad population. Sure there is other bait fish in the lake but just not the right bait fish. Without Shad blues will not have the grow rate you read about in a book. JMO