I have caught Golden Trout before, but I have never caught a Golden Catfish. The gentleman pictured above caught two Golden Catfish in Lake Orange within a few minutes of each other.
These Golden Catfish are really just albino channel cats. The taste the same, bite the same things, fight just as hard, but they are a beautiful yellowish gold color. I don’t know how any more there may be in the lake, but the Game Department may have a pot of gold on their hands.
About 50 years ago, WVA biologists were able to separate and breed albino Rainbow Trout, which were dubbed Golden Trout. WVA was able to swap these fish for others – like muskies and walleye and the Golden Trout are a big attraction to anglers who come to fish in the Mountain Sate.
If Virginia could do the same with these Golden Catfish, many people would come to catch them. Lake Orange is owned by the Game Department and these catfish could be a huge draw and put Lake Orange on the map. It is already known for big crappie, bass and walleye, and the Golden Trout would be a nice addition.
If you stock them, they will come.
