Originally posted by Bruce Condello:
I think we can rule out intentional stocking. If the previous landowner didn't have interest in fishing it would be unlikely he would have spent the money to bring in hybrids.
In ponds with clear water natural hybridization is much more unusual. Generally turbid conditions, especially in the spawning period contribute to spawning anomolies. Not saying it doesn't happen, it just wouldn't happen to all of them.
Anothe factor I have been told that contributes to natural hybrids is competition for optimum spawning habitat. This can especially be true in small ponds. If only a small area of the pond has a good sand/gravel substrata all species of sunfish may spawn there at once.
