Recent stocking strategies have been tested in the north and the results differ than what works in the south.
Here is some info. from the pond management guide put out by the Penn State extension service.
When small bass and bgill were stocked together in Alabama...balanced pops. always occurred. In the north, the results were stunted bgill and bass that were unable to spawn successfully.
To acheive bass/bgill balance, bass must be 1 year older than the bgills. This can be accomplished by stocking yearling bass one year ahead of the bgills...or stocking 2 year old bass with yearling bgills.
They also tested (successfully I might add) stocking at least 6 adult bass with 100 adult bluegills in new ponds. This is what I am trying.
If the bass spawn successfully this spring, the fry will not need the bgills to forage on until they are older...right? The initial 11 bass I stocked will not grow well due to the lack of forage, but I am not worried about them. Their first spawn is what I am worried about managing.
The two concerns I have is the bass not spawning this spring, as well as the initial 11 bass cannabilizing their first spawn.
Another question...how old are young bass when they will first start consuming bgill fry and fingerlings?
