Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose Help with GSH.

I have about a 3.5 acre pond. It was stocked on 4/14 with FHM, GSH, 250 RES, 200 BRES. IN 11/14 it was stocked with 125 SMB, 250 YP. In 10/15 it was stocked with 125 HSB. The BRES are doing great, the SMB are over 2 lbs. I haven't caught any of the HSB yet. I am pretty sure I haven't had a SMB spawn yet. I hadn't caught any YP until today, and it was only 7 inches long so I have had some spawns of YP. I had a small SMB kill, other than that I haven't taken any fish from the pond.
Here is the problem. I am getting over run with 8 inch GSH. I am considering on adding some more SMB, but I am wondering if they are getting to large for my SMB and my HSB to eat? Thought about adding a few LMB of the same sex. I am planning on trapping them, but I think I really need to add some more SMB. Do you think my HSB will be able to take a GSH this size. It's pretty hard to catch anything other than GSH. Thanks for the help. Steve

Just happened to see this. Look at the last few posts of the "dropping gravel" thread. I was just told that there isn't a GSH that a SMB or HSB can't handle. Excellent news in my opinion. FYI, my HSB were stocked in Oct of 2015. I haven't been able to catch one yet. My YP have had a successful spawn. I'm catching some very small ones. Lots of 9-10" YP though. I'm thinking that's about as big as the males get. I could be wrong.

Definitely good news if the HBS,SMB will be able to take a GSH that large. Probably should up my SMB numbers then. I have yet to catch any HSB yet either. I thought my YP didn't make it, because I hadn't caught one until today. It looked to be the same size I stocked back in 11/14. I had a bait shop offer to buy some GSH, maybe I should take him up on it.

I would allow your HSB to grow another year when they should be 15"-17". They will then be feeding on some of the 5"-6"GSH. Your largest GSH will not live a lot longer. At that point you will need numerous larger GSH adults as brood stock. Be patient for another year or two. Then decide if you need to adjust the GSH population. SMB will be recruiting some members each year. Be patient and let the fishery mature and grow before adding more fish.

I seem to have plenty of small fish in addition to the numerous YP and GSH in my newish 1-acre pond. I am hoping the 20 SMB will be able to recruit young with so many small fish in the pond. My plan is to add some HSB in a couple years if the YP get out of hand. At least the SMB should not be hungry.

Steve, I'd be leery of adding LMB, even if you try to limit them to single sex. One mistaken identity, which is easy to make, and they could end up taking over the pond. Head to head, LMB usually come out on top of SMB.

Of course, you may like LMB just as well, in which case this wouldn't be an issue. Guess it depends on what you prefer.

Ditto on what Bill Cody said. I'd not add LMB, and rely on the HSB to grow larger. They will eat the GSH, and you can always add more HSB.