Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Existing Pond Tilapia Stocking Rates Central OKLA

Here's the situation: We are going to try our luck with tilapia for algae control in our 4.25 acre pond. The pond has a healthy existing population of LMB up to 7 lbs, CC up to 10 lbs, and BG up to 1.5 lbs. The pond has more LMB than CC. What would a stocking rate of tilapia per acre to achieve algae control? Would be looking at adult sized tilapia.

I have read some past posts where @Rainman suggested up to 60 lbs per acre for existing ponds. Also have seen past posts where the recommendation is anywhere from 15 lbs per acre to 40 lbs per acre. These posts are few years old so I am posting this in hopes of updated recommendations. As far as a reference location, Oklahoma City is close enough.

We have found that by treating the existing FA in the ponds within a week (pre or post) stocking of the Tilapia allows us to achieve control with 40# per surface acre. These are Tilapia that are between 6" and 9" long, we try to stock them at 3-6 per pound, and have had better results stocking them as small as possible but yet big enough to avoid predation by the LMB in the pond.

Without killing the FA, even stocking at 80#/acre did nothing visually to the pond.

I stock at 20 lbs/acre in the pond where only Tilapia are used for FA control. This level leaves a slight amount of FA visible around the pond. 30 lbs/acre will completely eliminate FA in this pond, but has a lot of hungry Tilapia eating fish food I would rather have other species eating.

I am tempted to try 25 lbs per acre and see how that works for us.

If it doesn't help by the end of the first month, get more!!

I usually don't get a ton of FA, but spray then stock tilapia is what I do every year. I'm spraying next week, then adding tilapia in the next few weeks.

I will be trying 15 lbs I believe. Could be wrong on that mine is only about ⅝ acre also. In south east Kansas here so not far from ya either.

jludwig, where are you getting the Tilapia? I'm in Central Okieland (NE OK County). If the FA gets out of hand, I might try Tilapia.

I think I am going to try Harbin Fish Farm. There are locations in Harper, KS and Wetumka, OK plus they are recommended in the resources page. The Wetumka location would work nicely for you. For us being on the western side of OKC, it's virtually the same distance for us to either location.

Matt McBride in Wetumka is who I've been getting my stock from. Really good dude...

Generally speaking, north of the Texas border, you will need to stock Tilapia at 40 pounds per surface acre for great FA control

Theo, those "hungry Tilapia eating pellets are converting that feed at a rate 2 times better than the other species....faster forage growth at a better bang for your feed buck....those "other" species will still be thriving and in better condition and numbers because Tilapia are the primary forage species in the pond during the summer and early fall

I can still end up with a lot of fat Tilapia in the Fall that I don't particularly like to eat. Although last year I found a SIL/FIL pair of fisherman who loved making a Lemon Tilapia dinner. Win/win.

Absolutely correct. Stock 30-35 pounds per surface acre and it's like you never put them in the pond. Also, you need to kill all the FA a week prior to a week post stocking. Even stocking the Tilapia at triple the stocking rate won't be enough to have them eat all the old FA AND the newly growing FA too.