Here are some updates on how the fish are doing (everything has been released except where noted).
Red-ears:
I have not caught any and seen one up on shore shortly after ice out
Tilapia:
I have caught only a few with rod and reel(they are very tough to catch), and I've only had so-so luck with the cast net, but did manage to catch one a couple days ago that had eggs in his mouth which was a good sign. I havn't noticed many fry, but the FA has been absent since two weeks after the stocking. I see the tilapia the most during feeding time, but also notice them hovering on and around their deep spawning beds. Here is a pic of a fry I caught in a minnow net (I think it is a tilapia?):
Fatheads:
Have not really noticed any since stocking, but have found eggs stuck to spawning structure
Golden Shiners:
Did not notice any until the other day when I started catching 4-5 everytime I threw the cast net out. They were anywhere between 2-6"
Yellow Perch:
Have only caught 4 or 5. I did not catch any since the end of July, until the other day when I put one of the shiners I caught on a hook and I caught a nice fat 9 incher (sorry no pic)
Smallmouth Bass:
For only stocking 15 of these, they bite very aggresively. I've caught about 10 of them and have lost another 4 or 5. They seem to be doing really well with most of them over 11" and healthy looking bellies. Here is a pic of a typical smally from the pond:
Green-Sunfish:
I have culled out countless 3-4" of these (probably nearing 4-500). They seem to be doing better and gaining weight and length. I will probably stop throwing them out because the SMB are getting large enough to take care of this slot. I have caught a couple nice ones (one at 9.5" and one at 10")
, and I have caught some near the feeder that have extremely large bellies. I don't think they are eggs, but please correct me if I am wrong. Here are some pics of a side view and a belly view of two different fish:
FISH #1
FISH #2
