After placing a total of 75 lb of fertilizer in my BOW(!), I finally have a moderate bloom, with viz around 3 feet rather than 5 feet. Also, lots of plants around shoreline, mostly Am Pondweed and chara. CNBG population has exploded, with tons of fish all the way from tiny to biggies.

Here's the question: Should I add 7,000 TFS as recommended last fall? Idea is to help feed 8 to 14 inch LMB, which are mostly underweight. 15 inch plus LMB are heavy, avg RW around 120-130.

Reasons to say yes: TFS would not only feed LMB, but also some HSB growing in the pond. Lots of vegetation now available for TFS to spawn. TFS would make midlake regions productive, too.

Reasons to say no: Now that I've FINALLY got a moderate bloom built up, why add fish which will eliminate it? This could be bad news for all the YOY CNBG, after all. And do I really want a more "balanced" pond between smaller & larger LMB? I'm already aggressively culling smaller, skinnier LMB (188 since 1 Oct 2018), and I'd far rather have heavy big fish than heavy small fish.

I plan to add 100 lb of TP soon, if that makes any difference. Pond is too deep for plants to take over except in shallow upper bays. Forage pond about 1/10 acre just stocked with half a dozen CNBG to begin spawning.

Thoughts?

My experience with threadfins is all positive. I have not seen any downfall yet and most likely will not see any until we get one of those freak cold winters that we have not seen in the past 4 and a half yrs. Now after saying all that, I don't believe they will make any noticeable reduction/difference in the amount of plankton/zoo plankton in your lake. And my TFS have survived and done well in several different water conditions and or clarity. Visibility from 9" to 6' and back to 24" and back and forth. They continue to do well today. I see the hsb feeding on them more than I see the lmb feed on them but I may not be seeing lmb where I do see the hsb feeding. One more thought is, if the cnbg fry are doing well and growing and multiplying, then I think there must be enough food for the TFS.

TFS are very good food for mid-size LMB (8-15 in) and excellent for HSB. If you are trying to achieve a balanced population of all species TFS should help. If your goal is trophy LMB then not nearly as important (big LMB feed on small LMB and other fish). Either way stocking TFS is not a substitute for proper harvest. You might consider (assuming cost is ok) stocking half a load (2500-3000) TFS just before they spawn and see how that works.

Thanks for the words of wisdom, Eric & Tracy. I have zero experience with TFS and am a bit nervous that they might mess up my BOW just as it is really doing well. Good to hear my fears are overblown!

I know that Eric knows more about ponds and fish than I will ever know. And I also understand what he is saying about TFS feeding the smaller sized lmb and hsb but I also think they may take the pressure off the cnbg in the 2 to 4" size because I see TFS in the shallows where I have some cover where lmb may hide and eat the TFS as they swim by. And that may help the cnbg grow to the larger size for feeding your trophy lmb.


Yesterday afternoon, I sat beside one of my THF's on a feeding platform. As I sat there with my feet almost touching the water and my two dogs sat there with me watching the fish feeding. My 7 lb Maultipoo loves fishing and watching the fish feed. The Golden, not so much. I watched schools of 4" TFS as they moved around the feeding area. I also watched different sizes of cnbg and several lmb in the 3 to 6 lb range. It does not get much better than that!

Exactly - it should allow more 2-4 inch BG to survive. If they have enough to eat the BG should quickly be 5-7 inches. Also the smaller sized LMB will survive better which may create the need for more harvest of small LMB.

BTW I have seen TFS eat pellets (small ones and broken pieces and the feed dust that hits the water).

I like everything except maybe the need to harvest even more LMB. But they are pretty aggressive, and either people or the raccoons will eat them.