Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose new pond

How big do GSH have to be before they can spawn?

The best I can find is 1 to 3 years for age (depending on climate), and 4"+ for size.

I wouldn't bank on the info that I come across though.

I have seen some sellers that list broodfish. You could compare that cost to the adult BG. Then you would need to know how much each would produce to get the most bang for the buck....

Sam, this is a great thread because I'm in the same boat!

I have 1500 3-5" BG on order for asap, the biggest I could afford but will cage and feed them until big enough to escape predation.

My problem is the two 4lb LMB lurking around, avoiding me like the plague! Hopefully the 100 LMB & HSB I (mistakenly) stocked in September are still around.

Good luck to you & great advice here!

Also, GHS spawn on submerged vegetation or submerged shoreline grasses. BG will spawn on or in anything. I'd place my money on BG furnishing YOY for the LMB before the GSH. Do you have cover for the GSH to spawn on?

Would GSH spawn on straw that might be placed/weighted down in the pond?

You might PM Ewest, Rainman ?

Sam417-- As I found out and was told by folks here, the hatcheries don't always have the fish you need or what they advertise. Start shopping around and find out. Plans may have to change a bit to accommodate, and run it by the pros here. DON'T let the hatcheries change your plan.

From the SRAC publication on baitfish:

"Golden shiners scatter adhesive eggs on vegetation or supplied substrates such as hay. No care is given to the young. Spawning starts in the south about mid-April at 68 �F (20 �C) and fish spawn periodically until water temperatures exceed 81 �F (27 �C), typically around the end of June."


Just have to make sure the hay sinks and stays in place.