Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Raising Forage and Bait FHM Pond

Understanding that there are many variables involved, I'm wondering how many # of fhm could be grown in a 1 acre pond in a years time in a moderate climate such as Missouri. The pond would have good water chemistry and be fertilized with good spawning structure. Thanks, any guestimates welcome.

How many pounds are you going to start with? Are there going to be other fish in the pond? All factors in the number of pounds.

A single 1 acre pond with no other fish.

Annual production is variable depending on numerous features. Two main culture methods are used in ponds: wild adult spawning and fry stocking. Wild spawning is probably the method you will use.

Breeder adults are added at a rate of 500-2000 per acre. Ponds can be fertilized several ways (manure, organics or inorganics) and fish can be fed up to a maximum of 40 lbs/ac/day if flow through flushing is avaiable during poor water quality. Aeration is also highly recommended in goals of higher production. Production per year ranges widely between 300-1200 lbs/ac. Large variation is due primarily to techniques used.

For beginners plan on producing 250-300lbs/ac if pond is lighly fertilized and fish are fed lower amounts of food/ac. The main problem that I've seen in amateur or new growers is too many small crowded young not growing well. Healthy FHM are prolific. One female was documented as producing 4000 young during 12 spawns over a 11 wk spawning season. If we stocked 800FHM/ac, and 400 were females they have the potential to produce 800,000 to 1,600,000 small FHM/ac in optimum conditions. Even in just good conditions those 400 females could easily produce 400K -500K young FHM (400x1000) per acre.

Bill:

In such a pond, what would you use/what is used for spawning media, and how far apart is it placed in the pond?

You got me thinking here, there's a 1/10 acre pond that I know of that would work perfect as a forage pond......

Thanks Bill I appreciate it. How long does it take FHM to mature and begin spawning? Does it make sense to raise crawdads with FHM, would they compete at all?

esshup- for spawning media of FHM in small ponds let your imagination be your guide. Rock rip-rap works well for multi-depth spawn sites; plus it acts as wave erosion control at the water line. I've seen boards stapled to a rope with the ends tethered to shore. Cedar shakes pounded at an angle into the bank can work providing the waetr level is fairly constant. FHM will use about any flat surface that they can get under. I've seen them spawn under swim float markers for beach areas. FHM are territorial thus large flat areas that are not compartmentalized are not efficient use of substrate due to the male defending a relatively large space if it is present.

FHM fry with ample food & space spawned in early season can be mature and spawn at end of season especially in more southern waters; although IMO this is not a common occurrence due to crowding. FHM can be raised polyculture with crayfish. Choose crayfish breeder species that are not burrowers so they do not perforate the pond walls. High density of crayfish can create turbid water reducing plankton development. Lots of crayfish will keep the pond algae and weed free so it can be easily seined.

Thanks Bill. This particular pond has fluctuating water levels, so the floats on a rope would work very well. Easily removed for seining too! Spaced 36" on center that would eliminate the territorial concerns.

Thanks for the help.