Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations timing on lmb stocking

It seems the mantra about new pond stocking is 500 bluegills in Oct and 50 lmb in May. I am not comfortable with that, considering what I have been observing with what is left of the fish that I stocked in the fall. So, is there any big deal about waiting another year for the lmb stocking. I want to point out that I really don't care about eating any of it, all I want to do is catch a few on a fly rod.

Trick question. What fish are already in the pond ? Also, if you have patience (if you don't, you will learn by trial & error) stock forage fish, there are a lot of posts as to fathead bgill/red ear mix, thumbnail size or adults. Most of all, watch your pond. When the banks are teaming with forage fish, introduce your predators. You will experience phenominal growth rates the first few years of a new pond. I stocked my pond with bgill/shiners/fatheads late 2003, limited predators went in late 2004.

I would wait another year. Let your bluegill get a couple of spawns this spring / summer then when you can catch a variety of size bluegills on your fly rod add your bass. Just my two cents. I've added both adults and smaller blugills for my initial stocking. I plan on letting my bluegills go for a whole year before adding bass. Good luck

Thanks, that's exactly what I was thinking. I stocked it last October with 350 bluegill and 150 shellcracker (one acre pond), all about one inch long. The only time you can get fingerling lmb here is in May, so I am going to wait until next spring and let the panfish get a foothold.

Question answered, that was easy.

Tom Parker

Tom,

I'm not so sure the question is answered. There are alternatives.

First, consider that large BG are superb fly fishing targets. In small ponds, they offer great entertainment. They get large by having lots to eat, meaning that if large numbers of BG are present, you won't see the lunker BG. LMB prey on BG, and in the right balance, make both the BG and LMB larger.

If you are looking for great fly fishing, stock the LMB now and also regularly feed the BG. By late summer you will be catching respectable BG and by fall, 1 pounders will be common. You will also catch the occasional LMB.

Just depends on what you want...if you want good to great all around fly fishing, I would stock the LMB now. If you are after a few large LMB, then waiting may be the best bet.

One thing for sure, there's more than one way to skin this cat.

Tom.You may be able to use both the advice of Meadowlark and Bassandgrass to your advantage. You should consider [ if you can find them] adding 25 LMB now along with 50 3-5 inch BG. The larger BG will spawn now and add a new {increased }forage base for your LMB and the lower number of LMB will grow quickly and not overly inpact your forage base. This will also put you a year ahead on your bass. If the facts warrant next spring you could add 25 6-8 inch LMB to supplement your first stocking. This is another option to the standard approach. Good Luck. ewest

Thanks for the thoughts, guys. I was under the assumption that the bgs would be bedding by now, but have not seen any evidence. However, there are a lot more than I thought there were a couple of months ago, and they are starting to take to the feed which is a first since I stocked them last fall. So I guess I will decide in a couple of weeks about the lmb.

Regards, Tom