i need some help about how many bluegill to stock. i've looked at our states pond guide, but i still have a few questions.
first, it's a seven acre pond, and as it was filling, the game and fish supplied me with about 600 tiny bass, 600 tiny catfish, and 1000 a little bigger bluegill. i also put in about 20 pounds of fathead minnows at that time. i think the minnows have spawned a few times, and the bluegills at least once because i've caught a couple of good size ones, and a bunch of smaller ones. oh, the initial stocking was late september 2002. now the pond is full, and 24 feet deep or so at the deep end near the dam. i've fertilized, limed, put structure out, and have been feeding aggressively.
NOW, i see a lot of talk about coppernose and other types of bluegill, redear etc. can anyone recommend how many and what other type of fish i should now put in? i want a trophy bass lake by the way. and i am located in northern arkansas. our fishery departments in arkansas have now stopped the free pond stocking program, so i will have to purchase from a supplier. checked with the supplier, and "bluegill" are 30 dollars per 100, and redear are 35 dollars per 100. should i request "coppernose" or what? thanks alot, any advice would be of help. i've read the pond mgmnt. book i bought from pond boss, but haven't read the trophy bass book i bought from pond boss yet, so this info may be in there, maybe i should have looked first!!! thanks. mark
