Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Creating the food chain trophy bass meals

Yellow perch eat fish pellets but not as readily as bgill esp the lower protein types (32%). Perch probably will not provide you with as many young fish as bgill. But they will diversify your forage base. Perch will prey on the small bass fry (up to 1.5") which will thin the bass population creating less competition for young bass. I think bgill are overall a better forage item for LMB. If all you want is trophy LMB what is the problem with an overpopulation of gizzard shad?? Huge LMB thrive on gizzard shad.
Disadvantage to rainbow trout is they are only around during the cool-water season not year round esp at temps above 70 degF when LMB eat and grow best. But trout make good fall&spring snacks plus fun temporary cool season fishing as Greg says.