Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Raising Forage and Bait FHM are they there?

I had stocked fhm as soon as the ice thawed.I used to see them amost every time I looked for them.I have since then stocked other fish in my pond.The FHMs succesfully spawned about a month ago.The heavy rains came and I am just barely gaining visability again.I can now see alot of little fry 1/4" long all around the pond.I do not see any schools of adult minnows or spawning activity anymore.Did the FHM go deeper,get more wary or are they gone from predation?.....Joe

I would guess the new fish that you stocked in the pond hit the FHM pretty hard. Is this a new pond? If FHM are the only forage species that you have right now, then they are in trouble. That is why it is recommended you stock FHM in both the spring and the fall. They are very suceptible to predation, as they are slow swimmers. The ones that are left, probably don't want to come out of hiding much either. They are just so darn tasty

bowjo,

What other fish did you stock and how many? How big is your pond? Do you have any habitat in the pond for the minnows to hide in and spawn in? FHM's are a nice treat for your fish but they won't last if you don't have anything for them to hide in and if you don't have any other forage fish in the pond to take pressure off of the FHM.

I stocked 150 HBG at 1-3",and 50 at 4-6".30 RES at 3-4"..15 YP at 2-4".I also stocked HSB 2-8" and don't know how many if any lived.There is also 1 10" SMB.The pond is 1/4 acre,with stacked pallets a rock pile and a couple of christmas trees.With all the heavy rain I have not been able to evaluate my fish population.It seemed that I would always see the FHM,no matter how clear the water was.I know they spawned,but see no adults.I am hoping that I have more HSB survivors that ate the minnows.Thanks....Joe

Although there may be a few still around, I think its safe to assume that they made good snacks.