Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations The Mecca of Pond stuff

Mav,
Variation of FH stocking rates is due to the size of bass stocked and personal opinion of fish sellers - some are just BETTER than others. Lower rates are typicaly for no initial bass stocking or bass 2"-3" long. Typically bass do not eat 1.5"-2.5" FH minnows and this gives the adults some time (be it short) to spawn successfully before the adults are consumed. If one is stocking bass capable of eating the size of stocked fatheads obviously one needs more minnows.

Stocking more fatheads will help keep your larger sized bass in good condition until something can spawn and provide naturally produced food for the bass.

When you said "300 large CBG, 200 large REB" I assumed you ment breeder sized fish - 5"-7" long. As I mentioned earlier these fish may have a difficult time spawning on muddy soft bottoms in fluxuating water levels.

As Dave mentions water conditions are relative to your situation. If your water is murky from runoff or eroded bank sediment or a bloom it will allow the minnows to survive longer since the bass will have a slightly harder time finding the minnows. Note - A bloom will help fuel the food chain and small new fish production, however muddy water hinders food chain development.

If you stock tilapia they would spawn regardles of the water level since they do not build nests for spawning.