Advice on LMB stocking in northern ponds often suggests stocking them before BG to avoid BG overpopulation. See some of the state DNR manuals for example and several threads here. Not saying I agree with that but it does make for a dilemma on which way to go.

For example

Stocking bass-bluegill ponds -- http://extension.psu.edu/publications/uh137/view
When small bass and bluegills of the same age were stocked simultaneously in Alabama, balanced populations always resulted. When this stocking strategy was followed in the North, the result nearly always was a stunted bluegill population and a bass population unable to spawn successfully. Research at Cornell University showed that to achieve successful bass-bluegill populations in northern states, the initial stocking must consist of bass that are at least 1 year older than the bluegills. This can be achieved by stocking yearling bass 1 year ahead of yearling bluegills or combining 2-year-old bass (over 6 inches) with yearling bluegills less than 2 inches long. Researchers currently believe that the proper number of fingerling fish to stock is 100 bass and 200 to 500 bluegills per surface acre. This stocking strategy has been shown to be successful in Pennsylvania ponds.


Last edited by ewest; 06/02/15 01:44 PM.