Welcome from a fellow Hoosier. If you want bass, take a hard look at Smallmouth bass. Those and Hybrid Striped Bass. RES and HBG too. Ever think about YP in the mix?
Get the forage base started first, FHM and Golden Shiners.
Not saying that you shouldn't go with the HBG only, but personally I like diversity.
I have / will consider about any fish combination at this point. I don't want to have allof one type for sure. It seems like a good balance is had with 3 or 4 species that can control each other.
I had thought about smallmouth, but not wanting to dig a really deep pond and the way the water gets into the 90's here for long periods in the summer I'm not sure they would do very well. I was thinking a 10' depth max with a 12' trench, but consulting with a true pond builder/designer on design limits of a 1 acre or less pond may reveal some other options.
Smallmouth are one of my faves though. I usually go to Canada in the fall and target them for most of the week. Pound for pound one of the most fun fish to catch imho. They hit like freight trains and always put on a show. I've caught some real beauties up there and lost the biggest one I've ever seen at boatside just last year (8+lb I estimate). Yep, the one that got away!
I had not given perch much consideration but when I think of perch I think weeds..which I dont want a lot of. Probably a misconception on my part, but I have seen the discussions recently on their postitives and can see how they would pair with SMB very well.
The small pond next to my property has some real nice RES in it. I've caught nice RES down at Kentucky Lake in the spring and they are fun to catch for sure. I was leaning on including some in my stocking plan when the time came.
HSB I've not given much consideration, because I just don't know much about them other than chasing them around N. Indiana lakes as they bust into feeding frenzys as they slaughter a pod of baitfish. Again with them I think larger, cooler bodies of water though. Or maybe the hybrids aren't as finicky as the regular stripers? Not sure how they would work in my pond, but open to suggestions.
