I have a 3 acre pond that was built in August 2013. It has finally reached its full capacity in the last 2 weeks. I would like to stock my HSB in the fall, but I am wondering if I have enough forage built up yet. Thinking maybe I could start off with a small number this fall, if I can get some around 5 to 7 inches. Then in the spring get some smaller ones and feed them up in a holding pen. Keystone Hatcheries in northern Ill. stocked my SMB and my YP. They kept the SMB numbers low to make room for the HSB. They don't handle HSB so they wanted me to contact Logan Hollow in southern Ill. about the HSB. When I contacted Logan Hollow they are not familiar with YP, and they are concerned about my forage base. I have had two excellent years of FHM spawns. I saw the RES on beds the first year. I have caught GSH that were 6 inches long. I was wanting to see a YP spawn before stocking the HSB, but I never noticed any ribbons, but I may have missed it not realizing they spawn in 40 degree water. I doubt that there was a SMB spawn, do to the fact my spawning beds I made were out of water. So any advice on when and how many HBS to stock would really be appreciated. My stocking numbers and dates are listed below.

4/18/14
30 LBS. FHM
20 LBS. GSH

4/22/14
250 1 to 2 inch RES
200 2 to 4 Hybrid RES (7/14 6.5 inches) (5/15 9 inches)

11/10/14
125 4 to 6 inch SMB (6/15 9 inches)
250 5 to 7 inch YP

Most guys will tell you they like to step stock HSB. I got HSB that were 6 to 8 inches and some that were 8 to 10. The 6 to 8 inch would be good for you now as your SMB are not to big yet. I don't see a problem with you putting some in this fall. Lets see what someone else has to say that may have more insight then myself.

As far as how many? Well they don't reproduce so what you put in there is what you get. I always start out low on this kind of thing. I might go 25 per acre and see how it goes. But that's just me. Lets see what other have to say.

Good luck man sounds like your doing it right!!

RC

Are you going to feed the HSB?

Just a thought. IMHO if you have any interest in ever stocking WE, I would do it before you stock the HSB. FWIW Keystone tells me they should have WE in the fall.

I will be feeding, in fact I have fed the FHM from the first day of stocking them. The Hybrid RES also have been feeding along with the FHM. Now that the pond has raised about 4 feet I haven't got the RES to feed the last few days.

I like the idea of WE, but I am plenty strong on the predator side the way it is. Guess I could split the numbers up between the HSB and the WE, guessing that I probably would have low WE spawns if any. My plans were to adjust HSB numbers to control the YP numbers if me and the SMB fall behind.

Oh man yeah if I had a choice I would go WE in a second. Talk about gooooood eating!!1 Like you said though not sure what your spawning situation would be with them. Something you don't have to worry about with HSB.

RC

But WE fresh caught on the grill with some taters and lemons and garlic and such!! Oh man that sounds good!!

HSB and YP enjoy very different areas in a BOW. I doubt HSB will contribute noticeably in YP control, especially if feeding pellets. SMB and WE share the same areas the YP prefer. WE eggs need running, cool water to spawn. Highly unlikely any WE spawn will ever happen. WE in most warmer climate ponds don't get overly large, are fun to catch, great table fare, and can be replaced when needed.

Hey RM at what temps can WE handle? Could I put WE in my pond here in Arkansas? Or is it to warm in the summer time. I know they have them in the White River here but that thing stays a bit cooler all the time!

thx,
RC

Oh and what about SMB do you think I could try them or no?

Thanks for the advice Rainman. I think I will probably stock around 60 HSB this fall, and then maybe another 60 in the spring. Not sure if Logan Hollow has pellet trained HSB or not, but I am assuming they will take to pellets easily in the spring. As much as I would like to have WE, I will hold off and add them later if YP numbers get to high.

All HSB are raised on pellets everywhere you get them. Practically all if not all are produced by one of two fish farms.

RC, your pond could hold them year round without much trouble. Growth would not be all that great however. In your particular pond, SMB and WE would both be quick, expensive snacks for your LMB