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An exciting change has occurred for the Pagosa Lakes Property Owner's Association fisheries. The introduction of 500 channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) in Village Lake this spring, averaging 15 inches in length will create a new and highly anticipated fishing opportunity for area anglers.
Many anglers tell me “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” With a mug only a mother could love, the channel catfish will not be securing a top spot in any beauty contest in the future; however, due to the catfish’s size and preference for live bait, the channel catfish will secure the crown of top predator in Village Lake.
Village Lake is slated to receive the bruisers after a recommendation by Queen of the River Consultants.
In October of 2003, Queen of the River Consultants conducted a lake survey on Village Lake. The lake survey’s design was to inventory existing fisheries, to display the status of fisheries population, and to provide management activities regarding the fishery. The digital analysis of data yielded average fish length and weight, length frequency and age class strength, and relative abundance (numbers and weight) for each species. Queen of the River Consultants indicated Village Lake harbors a relatively large population of Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens), and Western White Suckers (Catastomus commersoni suckii). In terms of biomass the western white sucker are the second most dominant adult fish in Village Lake.
The survey indicated it was important to increase the predation of western white suckers and yellow perch in order to expand the recreational fishery of the lake. Without a predator large enough to control the population of suckers and yellow perch, the introduction of the Channel Catfish was the most desirable species to exploit.
The development of a fishery management plan calls for 8-12” channel catfish stocked at 15 fish per acre (1245 fish) every other year, or 1+ pound channel catfish stocked at 10 fish per acre (1000 lbs. fish) every other year. Due to monetary restraints only 500 channel catfish will be stocked yearly for the next three years. Discussions with the Division of Wildlife indicated that stocking channel catfish would be possible provided a 2”-3” screen is placed in the discharge channel below Village Lake and before Martinez Creek.
There is potential for trophy catfish in the future since channel cats are common to grow in excess of 30 pounds. Currently, the management strategy for catfish will consist of catch and release only for a duration of 2 years
The scientific name for the channel cat is Ictiturus punctatus. Ictiturus is Greek and punctatus is Latin, meaning “fish cat” and “spotted,” respectively. Channel Catfish are also know by other common names such as willow cat, forked-tail-cat, river catfish, fiddler, spotted cat, and lady cat. Channel catfish are easily distinguished from all other species in Pagosa Lakes. The most distinguished features are the eight barbels or whiskers that protrude from the snout of the catfish, forked tail and sporadic black spots. Unlike trout, bass, and sunfish; catfish are devoid of scales. Channel cats are native to eastern Colorado and have been stocked in warmer rivers and reservoirs throughout the state. Night fishing with live bait, chicken innards, flavored dough balls, or any other smelly concoction provides the best angling success. Note: fishing hours shall be from one hour before sunrise to dark (daylight to dark) except in Village in which fishing hours extend from daylight to midnight.
 perca flavescen
 Catastomus commersoni suckii
 The world record catfish weight is 58 pounds, caught by W.B Whaley at Pineville Carolina. Colorado State Record was caught in 1994 by John Mckeever at Hertha Reservoir (Larimer County) weighing in at 33 pounds and 8 ounces and 38.25” long.
The western white sucker is native to the eastern slope of Colorado and has been introduced into waters of the western slope, where it can hybridize with native suckers. According to the Colorado Division of Wildlife, Western white suckers are one of the most abundant fishes in Colorado, found in lakes and rivers, and tolerant of a wide variety of habitat conditions. Studies have shown that accidental release of white suckers into mountain lakes and streams has negatively impacted trout populations.
For more information on the results and recommendations of the Village Lake Survey please contact Larry Lynch at the Pagosa Lakes Administration Building or call (970) 731-5635. For information on the life history and biology of the channel catfish visit the Pagosa Lakes Property Owner's Association Administration Building or download this pdf file:
http://aquanic.org/publicat/usda_rac/efs/srac/180fs.pdf
The Pagosa Lakes Property Owner’s Association cannot guarantee your safety and by purchasing a Pagosa Lakes Fishing Permit, you hold the PLPOA free from any and all liability for yourself, your heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, and do hereby waive and release any and all rights and claims for which you may have against the PLPOA or their respective Directors, officers, employees and/or agents for any and all injuries and/or damages which may occur from your use of lake amenities. You will receive a copy of the Pagosa Lakes Use Regulations with your permit or permits and agree to follow all of the safety rules established by the Pagosa Lakes Property Owner’s Association.
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