Before I got some real experience in the pond business I would have told you that you were crazy to stock a fish like gizzard shad into your pond.

Now, six years later, gizzard shad do not bother me much at all. In fact I have seen some really great looking ponds that have gizzard populations. Stocking these shad is going to put more work on you (and on your wallet), keep that in mind. I'll put in my 2 cents for your questions.

1. I think you could get a gizzard shad population to establish in your bath tub. I have sampled them in mountain streams, ponds and out in brackish water near the ocean. they grow very fast in UN-fertilized ponds, I expect your fertilizer will increase this growth. a good population of large bass will be key to keeping things in check.

2. As far as pulling out larger shad, I think you will have to determine that year to year. consider hiring a pro for shocking.

3. shad are filter feeders but will eat fish pellets as well. the plankton in your pond does not go away in the winter there is just less of it.

In my book Fishes of Tenn. it mentions that gizzard shad die offs are not uncommon during cold winters so you may have that problem.

I think gizzard shad can cause you some problems. I'm sure there are people out there who will curse the gizzard shad. I think you will need to be very proactive in you management approach. In all the ponds I have seen with gizzard shad the bluegill population seems to suffer. my shocking surveys show fewer BG. so if you are interested in BG fishing I would not recommend gizzard shad. Last fall I conducted a survey on a 1.5 acre fertilized pond and discovered gizzard shad. We sampled 18 bass over 4 pounds from that pond and missed netting several other large bass. It was amazing.

I'll be interested in hearing Lusk's opinion.