Chris with your current plan, your LMB, will with the first spawn, strongly outnumber the forage fish and food will become short supply to the point all the LMB sizes will not be getting enough food daily for average growth rates let alone good growth. The first stocking of LMB will decimate the FHM over the period of one summer. Lack of forage fish. Bass growth will "hit the wall".
Reconsider the idea using Soil & Water bass for your pond as it is now planned. Soil & Water bass are cheaply raised and never pellet trained. Take the time and make the effort to find a fish farm that has pellet trained LMB and go get them even if you have to travel a few hours to pick them up. Pellet trained LMB are common in IL; just do some looking and homework. Bass eating pellets will get better than average growth to the point of fast growth when they are eating high protein pellets (40-42% protein). If nice bass are your goal, You will not regret using the pellet trained LMB. This method gives the best of both worlds, great panfish and great fast growing bass while not having to be concerned about lack of forage fish.
We are trying to help you here get a great fishery. Listen to the experienced advice.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 07/19/17 10:56 AM.
