Originally Posted By: Bill Cody
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".


Placed my order today: 250 4-6", 10 9"

RE Eric: 20% survival rate on the 2-3" fish...just couldn't pull the trigger on it - so I realocated that capital towards the 4-6" fish.

I am hopeful to have thousands that size and larger end of next summer from my repro pond and plan on stocking the top 1% into the main pond for another year class.

If you think I really made an error omiting the 2-3"er's I will grab 100 when I'd down there. I still can't throw my arms around why I might need them instead of just going the next largest size.

Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~ Henry David Thoreau

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