I was thinking 200 bass fry, 200 channel cats, 600-1000 bluegill? I am not sure how many minnows but the hatchery had a recommendation based on the pond size and the type and number predators I was putting in. Because I wanted to put the bass in right away, was why I was wondering if changing the ratios could be helpful to counter balance putting the bass in early?
Other thoughts would be to put less bass in and/or a lot more minnows?
How would it be if I skipped the bass and just went with catfish, minnows and bluegill without ever putting bass in it? Would the bluegill reproduce and grow in a way that would allow me to harvest plenty or would they stunt and overpopulate or suffer some other undesirable outcome?
I am also wondering if I was able to get fish in the Fall or the next Spring, if I could do something to help ease the issue I could have by putting some bass in early? Something like putting in more minnows at that time?
I do realize that the best course of action is to wait on the bass and under normal circumstances I would. My intention for my pond is to use it for a food supply. The reason I worry about next Fall is that I have an ominous feeling that we could find our nation under considerable stress from a variety of potential hypothetical scenarios such that my ability to get fish may be diminished or lost. I want to plan ahead for that just in case. Right now I'm trying to dot my eyes and cross my T's so I can use my property to be a little more helpful to our most important needs as a family.
Thank you all for your responses so far.
Last edited by SherWood; 03/09/22 11:08 AM.
