need help with hybrid bluegill

[klein spangler]

early last fall I stocked my small pond with hybrid bluegill. The pond is about 1/4 acre. I also put a hundred channel cat. The pond is full of crayfish, frogs and minnows. I have been feeding them every day. I took my fly rod to catch a couple to check their growth progress. I was really surprised at how much they have grown but I caught one that was covered with black specs. It looked like it was covered with pepper. Does anyone know what this might be? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[klein spangler]

Thanks Tony that gives me some help. That is a lot of channel cat but five grandkids plan on thinning them. Thanks again

[Tony Livingston]

Without seeing the fish it can be tough to tell, but what you're describing sounds like the larval trematode parasite. It's quite common in ponds, and usually harmless to the fish. It has a complex life cycle, involving fish eating birds or mammals, snails, and the fish itself.

I know it doesn't look very appealing, but it's harmless to people also when the fish is cooked properly.

On another note,

100 channel cats in a 1/4 acre pond is a lot of catfish!