Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose We need stocking advice for 1.5 acre pond

We have a 1.5 acre pond in south LA. We removed all of the fish with rotenone and we are ready to re stock. Our goal is to have a nice bass pond. (no feeders, no aerators) the pond is long & winding with 2 islands & lots of shoreline with willow trees for shade. Should we add the forage fish now and add the LMB in spring? Should we put Threadfin shad? FHM? When should we stock all of this? I'm planning to add some fertilizer and help establish a better bloom in the meantime. Just wondering what would be good choices for fish and when I should add them.

Yes add the forage fish as soon as possible. This will give them a chance to establish and reproduce. Threadfin shad would work in your area and fathead minnows would give it a good jump start. Go ahead and add your bluegill and redear sunfish as they may get a couple chances to spawn.

With lots of cover from emergent reeds and rushes, will FHM or GS establish a sustainable forage base for LMB? I am seeing clear, hard, flat objects on the bottom of waterlily leaves and am wondering if these are fish eggs.

RAH - Clear ojects under lily leaves are probably snail eggs. GS are a lot more likely to maintain their numbers than the FHM. It will also depend on the 'strength' of the LMB population. More LMB need more fish to eat. Too many predators almost always results in food shortages of some sort.

I have gelatenous eggs that I know are snail eggs. I have seen these for years. The more solid eggs are new to me. I was wondering about FHM or GS because I added them this spring. Where do they lay their eggs and what do they look like? I had a fish kill this past winter, so preditor numbers are low. However, I have a lot of baby bass and BG. I am still seeing tadploes which makes me think that I have a chance. I have up to 20 feet of thick reeds along some of my banks.

I have never seen a pond with reproducing bass have a sustaining population of FHM.

Your conditions may lengthen their existence in your pond, but they will eventually be extirpated... FHM eggs are a yellowish color. You should see a male racing back and forth. Male spawning FHM are very distinct and easy to see as they are jet black with a lighter colored "saddle" on them. They will be near the eggs keeping them clean, aerated and protected as best as they can from predators.

It is unlikely your GSH would spawn on the underside of a lily pad.

Thanks for the info. Just wishful thinking I guess...