It sounds to me that the bullheads in this pond are kind of a short bonus from the sounds of things. The pond contained no predator fish when I started. However it contained so many forage fish and "trash fish" the only logical conclusion was to add LMB. I would like to see HSB in the pond and I believe there is enough forage fish to not pellet feed for a few years. Will HSB accept pellets a few years down the road if not or occasionally fed pellets?
I would like to see the mass weight of forage fish accually go down some what before going back to a feeding program.
The pond contains Golden shiners, GS, 20 stocked blue catfish, 50 11-12" LMB, white crappie, 300 stocked BG, 50 redear sunfish, 5lbs fathead minnows,and yellow belly bullhead. I am figuring on possibly 15 - 25 HSB of the largest size available to stock this fall. If any one has any ideas to help please feel free to jump in. The pond is 1 acre @ 9 ft average depth and heavily aerated.
I will add that many of the "trash fish" are well under control now but the bullhead are not.
I welcome all the information I can get even the great "mad scientists".........