The White and Channel Catfishes of the Santee-Cooper Reservoir and Tailrace Sanctuary

The reservoir has a surface acreage of 160,500 and contains two rather dissimilar lakes, Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion. Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) are virtually unknown in Lake Marion, exist in relatively small numbers in Lake Moultrie, and are abundant in the tailrace sanctuary. White catfish (Ictalurus cattts) are present in large numbers in both lakes and the tailrace sanctuary. The channel catfish of Lake Moultrie and the tailrace sanctuary grow larger and faster, live longer and are in better condition than any channel catfish described in the literature. They, also, differ slightly in morphology.