I'm thinking of trying HSB in my .2 acre pond, 9 feet deep. It is well aerated, and I supplement feed. My water temps in the summer temp get near 70 to 75 F, with only nighttime aeration. If I ran the aerators during the day, I'd bet the temps would get near or above 80 f for much of the summer.
I've had trout in the pond for three years, with some fair success. Although I think I lose bunches to mink, GBH, and every once in a while cormorants.
However, the Golden Shiner population is very, very healthy. The adult size is about 5 to 6 inches, and there are tons of them - of all sizes. Apparently the trout are just not predacious enough, especially in summer time when they get stressed from elevated temps.
Ten bucks and an application process will get me an import permit from an out-of-state hatchery.
Any body have any experience with HSB in northern ponds?
Here's why I'm thinking HSB.
1) Fast growth.
2) Good flavor.
3) No risk of reproduction.
4) Good catchability - especially in the summer.
I have lots of experience (ten years worth and over thirty ponds stocked including five of my own).
I'll answer any questions you have in the future.
You are correct on all four counts.
This may seem counter-intuitive, but don't worry too much about stocking too many. Think about it more in terms of weight of fish/water volume. I'd rather see you stock a few too many, then harvest out the slower growing fish over the next year or two. In a .2 acre pond you will have extreme control over numbers. You could thin the population down by 50% in two hours if you ever chose to do so.
