Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Stocking SMB in a stream

Would like your comments on a proposal to stock Small Mouth bass in a section of a stream in central New Jersey. The stream ends in a brackish bay and on to the Atlantic Ocean. The state does stock trout for a 5 mile stretch, ending about a mile above the area I would propose for Small Mouth in this stream. Also Chain Pickerel are present in the stream. The purpose of the stocking is for recreation fishing.

From what I can find out, Small Mouth will survive in running streams. The stream has a daily mean flow of 239 ft3/sec, minimum is 105 ft3/sec and maximum is 512ft3/sec. And we have had a lot of rain this winter. Has an average width of 25ft and depth of 4ft. Enough trees and stuff in the water to make canoeing a real chore. As the stream is in a pine growth area, would expect to find the Ph in the higher acid range. The bottom is small pea gravel and a lot of silt from erosion from rain runoff. Do not have temperature data, but during the late spring the stream can be waded bare legged. Other than overflow and drainage, there are no ponds or oxbows which are part of or connected to the stream.

1. The question is does this stream look like it will support Small Mouth?
2. Should the stocking plan also include some minnows or baitfish?
3. All of the stocking recommendations I can find are for ponds, so what would be the recommended stocking per mile for a stream. Again the object is for recreation fishing.
4. To help sell this proposal, I’m looking for environmental good things resulting from this stocking.

Is this information for a proposal for a petition for the state to do the stocking? The State DNR may frown on public/private addition of SMB to this portion of the stream. The SMB could become established and inhabit the portions of the stream where trout are currently stocked. SMB could prey significantly on certain sizes of trout and interfere with the trout fishery. Proceed very carefully. Other natural endemic or important species (fish and or invertebrates) could also be impacted or maybe eliminated by addition of the SMB. A full species (fauna) list of the stream should be known and the food web of the stream should be examined or studied before the bass are added to this stream.

dsl, I think that many people will tell you that you might be playing with dynamite. Extremely dangerous dynamite at that. When it comes to stocking public waters, many states and the feds might come down on you with both feet. This is serious, serious stuff! If your state fisheries won't stock the stream with SMB, I personally would never even think about it.

You can always make the proposal and be turned down. I see no danger in that. I succesfully proposed the stocking of fish into a public lake for a trout club and were were successful. But you need to be professional and go through the right channels. The main thing is you don't jump the chain of command and/or piss anybody off.

If you can get an organization to back you, you will have more leverage.

I have a copy of my proposal if you would want it. Let me know.

As far as the smallmouth being destructive to the trout it depends. If the trout are planted as a put and take fishery at fairly large sizes that is doubtful. Doesn't sound from your description that it is high quality habitat for a self sustaining trout reproduction either.

You can only give it your best shot. There is now a trend now to go back to native species and keep naturalized or non native species out. However if you can find tout are not native in this stream either you may have a feather in your cap.

Hope your having a good birthday. One post by DSL and no word in 8 years!!!! I hope your not locked up in prison all these years for stocking SMB. That wouldn't be a fun birthday.......

Has anyone heard from Norm Kopecky?

Yes, we still hear from Norm occasionally. He came and got some pumpkinseeds and smallmouths this summer for his handicap-access fishing pond.

Norm is a class act! One of the coolest ponds around in my book and he puts it to good use...

Yes he does - a fantastic guy as well !