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1993 Kenney Res. Channel Catfish Study Report Page 2 (Ptychocheilus lucius) because it currently exists in the White River up to the base of Taylor Draw Dam. Channel catfish are being considered for sportfishery use at Kenney Reservoir for the following reasons: 1) stocking channel catfish in the reservoir would not involve introducing a new species to the White River; 2) a naturally reproducing population of channel catfish already exists below the reservoir in endangered species habitat; 3) the demersal nature of catfish should lessen the potential for escapement over the spillway. Likewise the depth of the outlet (50 feet) should be below depths usually inhabited by catfish. The reservoir already contains a small number of large channel catfish that are thought to have been in the reservoir since it was impounded, suggesting that escapement over the spillway or. through the outlet has been minimal for this population and potentially also would be minimal for a stocked population. Fish leaving through the outlet will be subjected to turbine and pressure-induced injuries; 4) the channel catfish population in the reservoir does not appear to be recruiting from natural reproduction; 5) channel catfish have shown they will tolerate extremely turbid water similar to conditions common in Kenney Reservoir; 6) the reservoir contains abundant crayfish and fathead minnow populations which are good forage for catfish. The CDOW sought to obtain reproductively sterile channel catfish for stocking so if fish escaped downstream they would not be able to reproduce in endangered fish habitat. However no sources of sterile fish could be found and the CDOW was unsuccessful in our own effort to produce sterile fish. Therefore the 3,OQ0 planted fish were fertile. III. Objectives The main objective of the study was to monitor the marked channel catfish in Kenney Reservoir; i.e., population size, survival, and growth. The retention, survival, and growth characteristics of catfish in the reservoir will be used to determine the sportfisheries potential of this species. If catfish do not do well in the reservoir then stocking will not continue.