Hybrid Pond - Stocking Plan - 03/21/19 01:35 PM
Well time has finally come to get some fish in my pond and I'm wanting to try something a little different. A little background on the pond and my goals, it is a 3 acre pond, 2 years old, with a deep end about 16ft and average depth around 8ft. No fish have been stocked except fathead minnows. What I want this to be is a place that has consistent action when fishing and can provide fish for eating on a regular basis.
Now, for fish I am looking at RES, HBG (the speckelbelly sunfish from J.M. Malone with no GSF genes), HBC, and HSB. My thinking is that the reproduction of all of these fish would be limited enough that everything would hopefully stay in balance fairly well, especially with removal of fish for eating. If anything gets too far out of hand down the line I might try and add some WE. I figure that this plan will require some supplemental stocking through the years and I foresee a growout pond in my future.
For initial stocking numbers I am looking at 400-RES, 1600-HBG, 400-HBC, and 180-HSB. Should I adjust any of these numbers? Do you think I will be making a mistake if I stock the fingerling HSB at the same time as my other fish?
I am open to suggestions. I am somewhat limited on which species I have access to and am allowed to stock but I'm sure there are other viable and perhaps better stocking plans with the available fish. So lets hear it, what would you guys suggest?
Now, for fish I am looking at RES, HBG (the speckelbelly sunfish from J.M. Malone with no GSF genes), HBC, and HSB. My thinking is that the reproduction of all of these fish would be limited enough that everything would hopefully stay in balance fairly well, especially with removal of fish for eating. If anything gets too far out of hand down the line I might try and add some WE. I figure that this plan will require some supplemental stocking through the years and I foresee a growout pond in my future.
For initial stocking numbers I am looking at 400-RES, 1600-HBG, 400-HBC, and 180-HSB. Should I adjust any of these numbers? Do you think I will be making a mistake if I stock the fingerling HSB at the same time as my other fish?
I am open to suggestions. I am somewhat limited on which species I have access to and am allowed to stock but I'm sure there are other viable and perhaps better stocking plans with the available fish. So lets hear it, what would you guys suggest?