Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Hybrid Stripers

I stocked hybrid stripers in my 3.5 acre middle Georgia pond June 1. The hybrids were 2 to 3 inches when stocked. The pond is fed with Purina fish food. Last saturday while fishing for bream I caught a hybrid, it was approximately 5 inches long. I thought one of the advantages of the hybrid striper was it rapid growth rate, so I was surprised at the small size of the fish. My questions; has anyone had experience with the first year growth rates for hybrid stripers and should I be concerned with the growth rate?

Bill, your hybrid stripers are essentially competing with sunfish and other fish you have. So, until they become large enough to prey upon those fish they now compete with, growth rates will be slow. But, once they can eat smaller bluegill, hybrid stripers will grow much faster. And, don't be surprised to see quite a bit of attrition. Small hybrid sunfish can have a tough time in a pond with other fish.

Hello I am new to the forum. I think this is the right place for me to ask this question if not please direct me accordingly.

I have two ponds that are about 1 acre. They are gravel ponds with a depth that fluctuates seasonally between 16 feet in winter to 11 or 12 feet in the deepest parts during the summer months. With a few places that might be 4 or 5 ft in summer. Plenty of weed on the bottom. Not so much around the sides as the banks drop off quick in most places. Currently one pond is stocked with LMB AND BG and some Green SF. The other is home to Black Crappie and a few Channel Cats and lots of shiners. Both ponds can freeze over in the winter some times for a month or more.

My question is would HSBs do well in these ponds. Most most importantly they survive the winter?

I use these pond for recreational fishing.

Thanks

Greg

HSB are cold tolerant. The issue may be DO (oxygen)if you tend to get winter kills. Do you remove the snow off the ice or break it open or aerate ?

I can't help you with your question, but WELCOME!! Great place to be! Even if your question is all you came for, you'll get MUCH MUCH more!

Dang Bill; where have you been?

His post was in 2002. Did he make a new post recently?

Nope, I just wasn't paying attention.