Hatching catfish eggs in a hatchery is the most efficient method of producing fry and fingerlings. Eggs can be incubated in troughs made of wood, fiberglass or metal.They are usually about 8 feet long, 18 to 24 inches wide and about 12 inches deep. Paddles or aerators gently circulate water in and around the egg masses to provide sufficient oxygenation. Egg masses are placed in ¼-inch hardware cloth baskets that are suspended in the hatching trough.