Dinsmoreoutdoors, only you can decide what trophy LMB are size wise, but as Tony said, they may get awfully hard to catch if you decide to go with fewer, but larger LMB. The fine line is recreation versus an occasional trophy catch.
On 2 occasions I've had limited non spawning female only small ponds, and in neither situation were any of the LMB ever caught. 4 were pulled out via seine in one, and that was the first time we had laid hands on them during a 2 year period. All 4 were right at 5 pounds.
I'm wondering if a half rate stocking of LMB might work as well as overstocking forage to increase growth? I'd sure like to hear if anyone has tried, and what their results were.
Whatever you decide, good luck with your plans.
