Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Threadfin Shad

What are their purpose besides being bait fish? I heard they will eat the algae that grows on top of the water.
Where can I get these shad and what is the stocking rate?

Thanks,
Pat

I don't know what the size of your lake is, but if there is any way to establish shad - do it. They are a phenomenal forage fish in a lake for bass and catfish. They also make the bass fishing easy as the shad ball up in schools and the bass stay with them. Out West here in shad heavy lakes, most guys just run around and meter the shad and then catch the bass that are almost always with the shad. Without shad, fishing actually is tougher as the bass relate more to cover than the open water shad. Top water fishing, spinner bait, fluke and other bass lures work wonders in a lake that holds shad as a key forage base. I lost my shad population in our 80 acre lake. The lake is nothing like it was in the years past when we had a massive shad population. The problem out West here, there is no hatcheries that sell shad and no means to transport a big load privately or through the State Fish and Game. Seining them is easy, transporting is the big problem. You guys in the South don't know who truly lucky you have it with your ability to buy fish from a fish producer. I'm very jealous!

Dave