Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose Forage Fish

Does anyone have information on stocking blueback herring in a pond. Will they survive or do they need deep cooler water ? How large do they get ?

As far as I know Blueback Herring are salt water fish that only inhabit fresh or brackish water to spawn.

I believe they max out at just over a foot in length?

I think Blue Backs were introduced to Lake Lanier in Gainsville Ga. a few years ago and I think they are thriving quite well. But I was unsure about ponds. I am trying to find a forage fish that does not grow past about 10 or 12 inches so the bigger bass can have a meal bigger than a 5 inch thread fin shad. The thread fin shad in our pond are plentiful but I don't think they are quite enough. Any suggestions ?

Am I correct in assuming you already have Bluegill or Redears in the pond? How big is the pond? LMB as the only predator?

Cathead,

What size pond? See recent discussion on gizzard shad. Tilapia is also an option, but may not be legal in your area.

I'm curious what characteristics you have that enable you to have a thriving threadfin shad population. I've tried twice to establish them but the bass clean them out or they otherwise disappear.

Cathead got a subsciption? If not get a back copy from PondBoss May/June 2004. Kedric Nutt had a good article on gizzrad shad. This is your next logicial choice. Do you have a thriving 3-5 lb bass population? Good fertilization plan? I suggest both prior to stocking them. The article was excellent but I have seen problems with "shad lockups". Gizzard shad can achieve sizes up to 22 inches. My respone to clients who want gizzard shad is a question. Are you tried of catching 3-5 lb bass? If the answer is yes then I think the rewards outweigh the "possible" negatives.

I feel the gizzard shad is a far better option than Blueback herring, but like you said they have had a very positive influence on Lanier fishing.

Sorry forgot other question. I'm no expert on blueback but they can achieve sizes up to at least 18 inches maybe more. They were main reason for decline in bass fisihing in Lake Burton. The large abundance of large size blueback were shown to eat the fry of bass and lowered the recruitment. However if you know the story the DNR stocked Brown trout and they have grown to huge sizes on the blueback supply.

Maybe others will chime in with more details on bluebacks. Another think to consider is legality in GA and suppliers. Who the heck grows them. If they would just let us stock Tiliapia that would be a good answer for you.

Pottsy,
The lake is about 9 acres and has an abundant supply of Coppernose & Shellcracker.
Largemouth are the only predator.

Meadolark,
The threadfin are thriving I think because of the fertilization program we have going. Also , there is ample supply of fresh water coming in to the pond. Tilapia are not legal in Ga

Grimes,

On the bluebacks I guess nobody has tried that in a pond. If they eat small bass fry, that wouldn't be all bad. It's hard enough taking enough bass out per year to keep the lake in balance. Just curious. Maybe they will legalize Tilapia sometime.

I just noticed your address; what's up Johnny? I agree with the comment that if they ate up some bass fry maybe not bad. This is why we now stock some golden shiners. Years ago that was taboo but since not enough bass are removed I don't see it as a bad thing either.

I guess you know the story of blueback in Burton?? They took over and did negatviely affect bass recuirtment. DNR stocked Brown Trout. They have done great folks travel from all over to catch trophy brown trout and blueback pop. seems to be more in check. Did you read the gizzard shad article?