Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Corrective stocking Hartley's SMB Stocking

I like ewest's 3 size approach for initial stocking especially for this tj57's situation for smallies where forage species are already well established. In this case BG, RES, and YP could easily get overpopulated if just fingerling smallies are stocked. With 3 sizes there will be 2-3 age classes and a spawn in spring of 2010 IMO will occur if some of the smallies are on the large size of 9"-10". New research has shown that smallies can spawn at 8"-10" long. For more info on this topic see Cody's article in PBoss mag May-Jun 09: "Smallmouth Bass Nesting Habits".