TyW33,
Not only do newly hatched larval fish need early zooplankton nutrition, but their overall foraging success in their first growing season has a large bearing on first winter survival. I don't know if that's correct in Texas but around here YOY walleye that make it to first ice as healthy 7-9 inchers have excellent winter survival. Those that don't have adequate availability of small prey items for early development hit that first winter at 4-6 inches, in poor body condition and practically disappear by the following spring. I'm sure this has some validity for all pond fish.
