I see their appearance as a marketing tool, a way of differentiating our Illinois fish from those down south. Holding up a cage-raised channel catfish, Daniel A. Selock shows what a good suntan can do for the appearance of this species. These black cats come from Clearwater Fish Farm, a new endeavor hatched just this year by Elkville resident Steve Aken and his father, Jerry, of Christopher, with some help from Selock and the folks at the Illinois Fish Farmers Co-op.
Aken fish get their fat and sassy look from their environment.
They live in pens in clear, deep water that is the hallmark of lakes made from reclaimed strip mines. Because the cages are no deeper than 4 to 6 feet, the fish are basically basking in the sun all summer and getting a nice tan. The cats' exotic look was an unexpected bonus for Selock, who has been promoting the use of both netpens and mine lakes as a way to boost the region's economy. If a nice tan can make catfish look good, it ought to do wonders for hybrid striped bass, a fish whose attractive appearance makes it a popular choice for upscale eateries that serve fish whole. Hybrid striped bass is a high-dollar fish compared to catfish.