I have seen the FHM's in low numbers in the shallows all winter long (2 to 3"). The stocked fish really took the FHM numbers down last year, but they should have another year left in them at good numbers. I contribute last years lack of feeding at the pellet feeder to the overabundance of minnows and fry available. This year I expect the feeding enthusiasm to increase.

Crawdad populations should be at their peak this year too. The adults outgrew my HSB last year which left a lot of breeders to produce YOY craws.

I have read several older threads on HSB and ladder stocking lately. A man named George G. really contributed a lot on the subject, but most of the links are no longer valid. Few of the ones I have found get into the actual concepts of ladder stocking them other than it seems to be a common practice. The most helpful thread I found talked more about stocking HSB in the pond with LMB...I don't have the LMB.

I'll keep searching.

Fish on!,
Noel