Hello all-
We just stocked 20 4" LMB in our pond. We did acclimate them accordingly. However, after swimming out of the bag they just sat on the bottom and didn't move. Is this normal? Is it bad?

Thanks for your time

Stubben we stocked our pond about two months ago with 300 LMB fingerlings about the same size and about 15% of them acted the same way even after being acclimated to the pond water for a lenghty amount of time. They swam slowly out of the bag and then layed on the bottom in a sandy area.We were able to pick a few up off the bottom and measure them, then after about 10 minutes they swam off into deeper water.I thought mine were just lethargic due to cool water temps.The LMB are now eating a mixture of Optimal pellets and Purina Gamefish via hand feeding, and I have not noticed any morts.I have noticed their mouth gape diameter looks like it has almost doubled.I stocked my pond with rosy red minnows and GSH in June 2015 and BG and RES (which are spawning now )in OCT 2015 so there seems to be alot of snacks readily available for them.

Stubben what part of the country are you located in?

stubben, I don't know if your LMB were bagged, but sometimes clove oil is used to keep them calm during transport. They'll be lethargic until the clove oil is out of their system.

Fyi 10% morts is common. If they were bagged with clove oil they should be ok .

Located in southern pa. Thanks everyone for the info. They did swim off after an hour. I guess we will see what happens. I need some blue gill eaten!!!

stubben, it would help to put at least the state in your profile instead of USA. Reason being is when people ask for information or help, where they are located in the country dictates what type of answer they get.

For instance, if someone in Florida asked for aeration help, they would get a different answer than someone up north where the pond would freeze over. Stocking plans for southern states are different than for northern states too.

Esshup, thanks for the info. Profile updated, it has been such a long time since I created profile and posted anything.

Hello everyone! Well I has been almost a year since I set my 4" LMBs into my pond. As I noted in my initial post I was afraid that the little guys were toast. You all tried to alleviate my fears- much appreciated!

Well, my 6 year old daughter and I went out last week to catch some blue gill and lo and behold she snagged two bass one after another in the first five minutes!!! They were app. 12" and had some good weight on them. The look on my kid's face when her pink Disney pole was bent over was hilarious!!!!

How great is that ! I enjoy reading about a kids enjoyment when fishing. You may have A future Bassin Gals champion.