Effects of Density and Feeding Regimen on the Overwintering of Channel Catfish

Two feed regimens were evaluated at two densities of market-sized ( > 0.5 kg) channel catfish, "Ictalurus punctatus," in a factorial experiment. Reducing density from 7,410 to 4,940/ha produced significant (P < 0.05) increases in weight gain, while low temperature feeding below 10°C) did not. There were no significant (P > 0.05) interactions between density and feeding regimen in fish production variables. Fish overwintered at low density without low-temperature feeding gained more weight than fish overwintered at high density and fed during the winter.