WINTER FEEDING FREQUENCY FOR CHANNEL CATFISH IN CAGES

Cage-stocked channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) with an average ini tial weight of 99 g were fed once a day on alternate days or once week ly throughout the winter (19 November-22 April). Total fish weight per cage on the alternate-day schedule increased by 32.1% over the study period. Less weight gain per cage was produced when fish were fed once weekly (1.7-8.5% weight gain; P < 0.01). Channel catfish weight can b e maintained by once-weekly feedings during warm winters (mean water t emperature near 16.3-degrees-C) by feeding during warming trends.