Timing of placement of species also plays a role.
The fish farm that sold me my fish recommended 500 BG per acre and 100 LMB (for my specific case). Which is way LMB heavy by all accounts here on PBF (and may prove to be that way in the end).
BUT....... the BG were placed in late March (were provided feed to enhance growth and increase spawn) and had at least one spawn by the time I placed the LMB fingerlings in November. So in essence I had 500 4-5" BG and how ever many they managed to spawn and survive small fingerlings by the time the LMB were introduced. So I potentially had more BG at the time of stocking LMB than another person would have had stocking 1500 BG per acre and 100 LMB stocked at the same time.
Being LMB "heavy" will also allow me to take more LMB for table fair earlier. They are about9-10" now and I figure will take out a significant number next year as they get big enough to eat. Had I put only 25 or 50 per acre, would have wanted to wait at least another year before "catch and eat". This also could come into play. How quickly a person wants to start "harvest". A "catch and release" person that wants huge LMB for the fun of fishing might have wanted a lot lower number of initial LMB stocking. I told my "fish guy" I wanted a "balanced" pond with lots of catchable fish but large size was not a particular goal. I wanted to "catch something" when I threw a line in big enough to eat. I used his advice on stocking rates based on what I told him I wanted and the timing of introduction of fish (he was planning on waiting a year to introduce the LMB but I ended up feeding the BG and FHM and had good spawns, and on that information he suggested that going ahead with the LMB a little earlier would be fine. Originally I told him I probably would not feed, but in the end I did as it was addictive once I started).
While I'm still a novice at this stuff, it seems to me stocking rates need to be tailored to an individuals specific needs and wants based on his location, situation and goals for the fishery. And it is going to vary a lot from pond to pond because of this.
Last edited by snrub; 07/29/14 05:57 PM.
