Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) growth in 1-m3 cages was evaluated with three extruded feed rations with varying soybean meal and fishmeal inclusion rates. One ration was formulated as an all- plant protein diet with dehulled soybean meal as the primary protein source. The second ration was formulated with dehulled soybean meal as the primary protein source, but with 5% fishmeal. The third ration was formulated with fishmeal as the primary protein source. All three rations were designed to be nutritionally the same, with 32% protein and 6% fat. Channel catfish stocked at 400 fish per m3 grew from 69g to 467 g, 500 g and 532 g, respectively, on the all-plant protein soy-based, soy-based with 5% fishmeal, and fishmeal-based rations. Growth was significantly different (P<0.05) among the three rations. FCR for the soy-based, soy-based with 5% fishmeal, and fishmeal-based rations was 1.45:1, 1.34:1 and 1.25:1, respectively. Net production for the soy-based, soy-based with 5% fishmeal, and fishmeal-based rations averaged 157 kg/m3, 171 kg/m3 and 183kg/m3, respectively. Survival averaged 99% for all feed treatments. Net economic return at the prevailing market price of RMB 21/kg was RMB 2147/m3, RMB 2373/m3 and RMB 2570/m3, respectively, for the all-plant protein soy-based, soy-based with 5% fishmeal, and fishmeal-based feed rations. Return to investment averaged 124%, 134% and 139% for the soy-based, soy-based with 5% fishmeal, and fishmeal-based ration treatments, respectively. Net economic return and return to investment were significantly different (P<0.05) among the three feed treatments.