Yes, indeed, fertility is an issue in stocking. I like Dr. Dave's numbers. One nice thing about largemouth bass is that they're relatively easy to decrease their numbers later in a small pond through angling. I was going to say 30-40 half pounders, then adjust their numbers through angling as they nail the GSF.

Gradually adding adult bluegill (too big for the LMB to eat) is a great plan as well.

Could the thousands of "minnows" actually be thousands of young-of-the-year green sunfish?

Holding a redear sunfish is like running with scissors.