IMO consider changing the BG order to 300-500 RES: 500-700 BG. The hatchery should not have a problem with this. BG will always outpace the RES. The higher % of RES will IMO slightly reduce the chances of early overpopulation of BG. A strong population of RES is rarely ever a problem. The big negative to this IMO is the RES will not be regular pellet eaters and thus slightly slower growers compared to the CNBG. It has been speculated here that adult RES will eat small FHM <1" to maintain good growth rates. 500-700 BG should be more than adequate for a pond having primarily HSB as the only predators. Plus if you follow George's suggestion of "don't stock HSB until FHM turn the water black" (probably in spring 2013) fishery balance should work well for the first few years until lots of minnows are reduced and significant BG harvest is nececessary to keep remaining BG growing well.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 02/22/12 10:50 AM.
