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In response to Blue Cats on local waters
The NCWRC has never stocked Blue catfish in any waters connected to the Albemarle Sound. Back in the mid-60’s, Blues were introduced into Lake Norman and other reservoirs and those cats have continued to expand their range on their own accord populating the Catawba, Pee-Dee, Yadkin, Roanoke, Neuse, Cape Fear and the Tar rivers. However, these Blue catfish are not responsible for populating the rivers connected to the Northeast Albemarle Sound.
The Chowan River is loaded with Blue cats and those fish arrived courtesy of the Nottaway and Black Rivers up in Virginia. These fish are pretty much resigned to the Chowan as the salinity levels in that part of the sound restrict their advancement. I live on the Pasquotank River and have never caught a Blue cat yet the Chowan to the west and the Northwest River to my east are loaded with them. Too much salt between here and there prevent encroachment. Hurricanes and heavy rains in the future can and will change this dynamic.
The NWR Blue cat has its origin from the James River. They meandered down the Elizabeth River eating every crappie in sight, entered the North Landing River where they dined on yellow perch, reproduced like only Blues know how to do, and then continued south into Carolina’s Currituck Sound where they then realized they had made it to God’s country. No more bridge tunnels, crazy drivers and high priced, non-functioning Ezee Passes. It’s time to slow down, grab a chaw and chill out.
A Blue cat is a predator. Less than 10 lbs they are omnivore but when they get bigger their diet becomes fish. If it swims they will eat it. They are equal opportunity when it comes to dinner fare and they will eat you out of house and home. I have caught them on live bluegill as big as my hand and cat fisherman on Kerr and Gaston love to use a big slab of crappie for bait. Their main forage is shad but they will eat it all.
I fished Blue cats in the Rappahannock River for many years. In that river system, fishery biologists are wringing their hands as the explosion in Blue populations has affected the natural balance. The native Channel catfish in particular is being displaced as they can’t compete with the voracious appetite of a Blue. If Virginia had it to do over again, they may very well have left the Blue in the Mississippi River drainages from whence it came.
On a personal level I love the darn things. They fight good, fairly easy to catch and in my opinion are handsome looking fish. You are what you eat and those kitties from the NWR taste sorta like a mix of crappie and yellow perch. Deeeelicious!Attachment 146898Attachment 146899
