Quote Originally Posted by Lowellhturner View Post
Thank you for the information, sir! We were going to get permission from the COE prior to cutting the holes, they informally have said we can cut a 3`X 3` hole, but it MUST be roped off and marked with flags on the rope. Was curious what sized culvert you would recommend for the catfish nests? We were going to try to place cement 1s since they would last longer. And ANY plant recommendations would be apprieciated; ODNR seems rather reluctant; they`re saying there are NO plants they could see as useful. Understand that many types are difficult to control once introduced. Again Thank You for your time, sir !
Here is a link to the May 2011 Fall River District Fisheries Newsletter by fish bio Carson Cox. The newsletter contains information on artificial spawning containers for channel catfish that I think you will find useful.

In Kansas, we have found that water willow Justicia americana is a desirable plant in our reservoirs. Nearly all of our larger reservoirs are devoid of vegetation due to turbidity, wave action/erosion, or grazing pressure by herbivorous fish or turtles. Aquatic vegetation is desirable in Kansas reservoirs as it provides shoreline stabilization, decreases shoreline erosion, provides habitat diversity, including increased quality/quantity of near shore nursery habitat for multiple fish species. A study at El Dorado Reservoir in the mid 1990's was designed to identify plants that could endure the rigors of life in a Kansas reservoir. The study showed the most promising plant for the reservoir was water willow. This plant is emergent so it can withstand increased turbidity. It is a native plant of Kansas. Water willow can grow in depths of up to five feet (depth limited so it can't over run in to deeper, mid lake areas). It can grow on varied substrates from silt to rip rap. Water willow can endure some flooding and is very drought resistant. Plants are readily transplanted with various methods. Successful introductions of water willow have been completed in numerous Kansas waters. Here are a couple of studies on water willow: Study 1 Study 2