Pond Boss Forums AERATION Systems questions stocking

i have a 56 acre lake in ne arkansas. it was filled in december and in march i stocked 1500 lbs of fatheads (black tuffies), 3,250 channel cat (5''), 39,000 coppernose (1-2''), 13,000 shellcracker (1-2''), and 13,000 native bluegill (1-2''). i have fed twice a day all summer with auto feeders, 1/8'' 36% feed. my bream are now 4-5'' and many of my catfish are 1 1/2 lbs. the pond seems to be teaming with minnows as i see new fry monthly. i am wanting primarily a bass lake and am ready to stock (planning on putting in 4200 bass) and would like a recomendation on what size i should put in. right now all i can get as far as f1's go is 1-2'', 2-3'' if i wait until mid october and 4-6,6-8'' if i wait until november. what is my best bet?

You're doing a lot of things right with your new lake in Arkansas, so you must be getting good advice. And you're listening.

We especially approve of the timing in your stocking schedule, the way you have allowed your forage species to get well-established before introducing largemouth.

With bass, and most other stocker fingerlings, generally the larger the fish, the more advanced in its development, the better its chances of survival. Bass are no exception.

It follows, then, that 1-2 inch fingerlings are less likely to survive than than the 2-4's and the 4-6's. The smaller fish, however, are much less expensive. There's also the element of time.

Even as far south as Arkansas, December is not considered prime time for stocking fish, though your new fingerlings should do fine making it through the winter. If you wait until December, we suggest you postpone your bass stocking until the waters warm again next spring, generally in March.

We recommend you shop around. Search the Resource Guide on this site. Seek out the largest, most advanced bass fingerlings you can afford. For best results, stock your fingerlings before the first killing frost.

While you weigh your options, kindly indulge me in one bit of capitalism. . . We don't do much of it here at Pond Boss, but we are bound by a budget to do a little, just to stay in business so we can keep providing you with information.

As you see, pond owners and managers, professional and amateur, gather here every day to share their experiences. To get full benefit, call our office to have a free sample of Pond Boss sent to you, then consider subscribing. Twenty-nine dollars a year will provide tons of tech support for your new lake.

Mark McDonald
Editor, Pond Boss

Like Mark says, it sounds like you are working on good advice and doing a bang-up job with prepping the lake for a predator. With 1 1/2 pound catfish already established I have to agree with Mark and go with as large a bass fingerling as is financially viable, otherwise they might just add a new flavour to the catfish menu. With such a large forage base you will likely be ok with whichever size you choose. By the sound of the numbers of fish already stocked you have made a substantial financial commitment already. Your lake sounds fantastic, as usual I am extremely jealous.

BTW Is this a private lake that you will have sole control to manage?

with your main objective being a bass lake, why the channel cats? They will be competition for food and will harrass your bass during spawning. Otherwise all looks good. I'm all for stocking now. The economics and the timing are right for the smaller fish. Waiting will only put you until next spring introducing bass and you will be in the same shoes you are in now, small fish availibility, or pay a premium for the larger fish. If the severity of your winter is still 2 months away then I would stock now if you want bass, and catch those cats!

I agree with James Ed, with the emphasis on LMB why the catfish? If your lake has catfishermen well and good. If you think they are "cleaning the bottom", look at the bottom in 5 yrs; you'll think differently. They don't eat leaves and muck!! Each catfish will take the place of one bass; I prefer bass over catfish any day.