Ok, change of plans...
Due to certification issues, Imlay City is not getting any SMB in this year. Laggis & Crystal Springs are out and won't have more until next August or later (and they will presumably be fingerlings?). I can't buy from out of state this fall.
New question:
If they do ok in the winter, I am expecting that I will have YP & RES both spawning next year. If I am not able to introduce SMB (possibly small ones) until next fall, do I run any serious risk of overpopulating to the point that my SMB can't catch up when they get big enough? Or is this actually a good thing to "give them a head start" for essentially two years?
Should I add a few walleye or something next spring to act as a temporary non-reproducing predator (HSB aren't available in MI)?
I'd like to stick with my original species as much as possible, but I don't want to let it get out of control right away. I don't mind adding in a second predator if it's not going to take over & interfere like LMB.
Obviously, I could fish out some of the bigger YP & RES next summer/fall if that helps, but I don't know if a handful of fish dinners will make a difference either. I have nothing to guage this on.
Any thoughts?
