Originally Posted By: Bill D.
Originally Posted By: justinchandler
Originally Posted By: Bill D.
Interesting problem.

Offering up some numbers but I'm not a pro...

My understanding...

Recommended stocking of LMB is 50 to 100 per acre so for a 1.5 acre that is 150 so you were a little high at 200.

Recommended stocking of BG to LMB is 30:1. If that is correct, BG stocked would be 6000 for 200 LMB.

If those numbers are correct, your LMB may not have enough forage and will be under performing. I would expect to see a shortage of small BG.


Bill...also don't forget your original stance....I under stocked bluegill.


Sorry for the misunderstanding. My concern in that post was that you might have too many LMB for the size of the pond and they might over eat the small BG forage, not that you had under stocked BG.

Once you posted that you had lots of 6 inch BG I posted:

Originally Posted By: Bill D.
They look like very healthy fish to me. Given that you know you have hundreds of CNBG already as brood fish that are larger than your current LMB mouthgap and that you are planning on stocking another 175 CNBG 8 to 10 inches, have you considered diversifying you forage base with maybe some crawfish instead of stocking another 4000 1 to 3 inch CNBG? The craws will still add biomass but maybe at least be utilizing a different portion of the food chain?


I think you are correct that a lot of the 4000 just stocked will go as snacks. Your LMB will probably spawn this year, if they haven't already, and any recruitment will add to the biomass as well. Lots of variables. Please don't think I am trying to "rain on your parade!" Just an observation that it seems like a lot of fish for that size pond. I would still watch water quality, especially in the hotter months.

Keep us posted,

Bill D.


I understand what you mean, no worries. My LMB did spawn last year at multiple stages. So much so, that I am still catching some 4-6" bass, which tells me that those guys probably hatched out this past fall (and didn't have much to eat). I am hoping that I have removed a good portion of the original stock (maybe 50%)....so now I am harvesting only fish under 12 inches. I really expect to see an explosion in weights of the original stock this year. Who knows though, I may walk out one day and everything I have be floating. With that said, what are your recommendations for aeration at a reasonable price? I have power run down to the lake, so I am not really limited by anything (other than $).