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Joined: Jan 2006
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I've got about a 3 acre tank out at my ranch that is already stocked with catfish, but I am wanting to build up the forage fish population before I add bass. How many lbs per acre of what species would ya'll recomend?
Thanks in advance for any input!
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Joined: Jan 2006
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Moderator Lunker
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The "normal" recommended stocking rate is 1,000 bluegill and redears per acre with 80% bluegill. Also, add about 5 lbs. of fathead minnows per acre. This is for a new water hole. I'll assume that some forage already exists since you say you want to "build up" the forage base. A lot depends on the status of that existing base. You haven't said what else may be in the water or the history/age/water quality/depth of the tank.
I'm assuming a lot here but, since this is your best shot before adding bass to an existing population of catfish and other available forage, I would probably use those numbers. Small stocker fish are inexpensive.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Joined: Jun 2005
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Did you clone yourself Dave?
It ain't much of story if you don't have pictures!
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Ross, I have a computer at work and the one here at home. The changes to PB forced me to Login but when I tried, it said that Login ID was already taken. So, I added 1 to the end for the one at home.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Which one of you is the evil twin with the moustache?
"Live like you'll die tomorrow, but manage your grass like you'll live forever." -S. M. Stirling
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Joined: Jan 2006
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Dave,
The tank was originally stocked in 1976 with CC and minnows (not sure what species), I have seen some Blue Gill in there. That is all the history of the tank that I know of because my family bought the land about 4 years ago. The tank is spring fed, but it is shallow with 8' being the deepest that I know of. There are no bass that I know of in the tank.
Last year we had the tank flood over into a natural spillway (which we have since blocked off), and lost probably 80% of the forage fish in the tank so I'm just trying to get the forage population back up to where it was before I advance in stocking Largemouth.
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Joined: Jan 2006
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Moderator Lunker
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Chad, you may not have lost as many forage fish as you think. They usually go upstream in a flood or overflow. That said, I would go ahead and load up with bluegills and fatheads. Once bass get started, it's tough to add forage without losing a whole bunch of them to predation. At 2 to 3 inches long and a cost of 25 to 35 cents each for bluegill, they can be pretty cheap insurance. Fatheads are generally about 7 or 8 bucks per pound. They usually run about 350 fish per pound. Both species are extremely prolific. Expect to lose some of each to cats.
Theo, you must mean brother Fu.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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My First
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