Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Raising Forage and Bait FHM Spawining Questions

Around what depth do FHM spawn at? I'm working on a new pond and am thinking about using it to raise FHM and so I'm trying to figure out how shallow shelfs and flats should be to encourage them spawn. Also does anybody have any pictures or examples of types of structures used for FHM to spawn?

From just below the surface to something around 3 feet. Pallets, boards or waxed cardboard floating on the surface (preferably stationary). 1 to 2 ft deep is what I would shoot for..

FHM condo

Another one I built later. Notice the addition of the floating insulation. I have had to add this to all my FHM pallets because they eventually waterlog and sink without it.

FHM stacked pallets

I basically used old boards spaced an inch or two apart to create multiple levels for the FHM to use the underside. They are teritorial so need areas about 18" area for the male to protect. Multiple levels makes areas for numerous nests. Narrow spacing of boards offers some protection from predators.

+1 IMHO, in the absence of predators, floating or suspended spawning surfaces work well. If the pond has BG or other predators, I would stick with sunken habitat in shallow water, like pallets, where predators have very limited access to the spawning surfaces and new spawn from below. Nearby vegetation for the new spawn to hide and feed in is also a plus if the goal is to maximize survival of the FHM.

Good points Bill. With no apex predators and only small BG, the FHM will spawn about anywhere there is a underside surface. But in my sediment and forage ponds I have adult Lepomis but no bass and the big BG and RES hammer them pretty hard. Safe spawning habitat in my opinion is more important in that situation than in a brand new pond.

In a stormwater retention pond without predators I have seen them spawning on the underside of lily pads.