I'm not sure of the legalty of stocking tilapia in IN. Cecil could help us on this point.
In theory I also think it may be a pretty good idea but here are some hurdles.
1. The main problem is getting stockers in your area. Final cost may not be all that cheap esp considering 2nd point.
2. Secondly the stockers would have to be big enough to avoid bass predation based on how big and numerous your bass are.
3. We have a fairly short growing season in our area so initial stockers (May 1) would need to be fairly large to end up with cleanable sized fish (9"-12") by Sept 20-Oct 1 (140 days).
4. To get noticable filamentous algae control I would think you would need to stock at a fairly high rate to allow for mortality; natural, induced from handling, and predatory.
5. If it is legal to stock tilapia in IN, I think a likely source would be some "indoor" fish farmers (recirculating aquaculture farms). There are a couple that raise tilapia in north west central Ohio. I would think that they might be willing to sell some fish that are not quite big enough for market.
