Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Raising Forage and Bait starting new minnows in already stocked pond.

Would like to add bluntnose and/or spot fin shiners to the pond.

Pond is stocked with

LMB
BG
HBG
HSB
TP

Forget the bluntnose and spotfins for a pond with LMB. These minnows cannot withstand the fierce LMB predation. If you want a minnow or shiner you willhave to resort to adding large goldens and then they may not withstand intense LMB predation depending on the degree of refugia in the pond.

Thanks Bill

I agree with Bill, even advanced sized GS will not survive predation by LMB if they have no place to hide both summer and winter - I'm talking 10+" long GS.

+1 IMHO it is all about the proper habitat for anything you stock in your pond if you want it to survive and thrive... How big are the LMB and what habitat do you have for minnows of any species?

You will need some decent sized weed beds or stands of bullrush to keep the brood stock shiners present after the first few years. One way to help keep the present is to keep the number of predators fewer as in fewer foxes in the hen house.

The pond has a pretty good stand of American pond weed. The Larger LMB are pushing 3 lbs.

Not sure even 10" GSH would survive an encounter.
A 3 lb LMB at std wt is 16.8" long. A 17" LMB gape runs 2.8-2.9".
A GSH has a body depth/std length = 0.24. With SL=TL/1.26 for minnows, you have to figure the BD=1.9-2.0" on the GSH. By the morphology, the bass can easily swallow it if he finds it.
Saw one paper reporting on smaller LMB but they specifically did GSH. They were recording 7.3" LMB eating 3.5" GSH.

So heavy shelter is the only way to go as Bill stated.