That's the big question for sure Jason. What I'm trying to do is take a couple of measurements for just a few fish. With the base information from stocking size and a couple of measurements the daily growth rate starts to show a trend or at least an average. No doubt there will be some outliers on such small samples. That trend should help to predict what I need to be looking at for forage, if supplements are needed and potential culling (males for sure).
From Bill Cody's post on Trophy Largemouth Bass Concepts there are a couple of hints in there on growth rates. 1.26-2mm per day. I think BC also said that 1mm per day was still considered good growth.
I don't know if this is maintainable for winter as the fish are not consuming as much food and at some point the fish will become sexually mature where food is split between growth and making babies. That was the reason I was asking about your spawn on the LMB.
In your case, I'd hedge my bets that 2025 will be your 1st year spawn. In my case, I'm not sure. If the fish continue to grow at current 1.66mm per day that would be 10-11" LMB in Oct and very possible 2025 spawn for me too. Oct will be interesting to see what is going on in the pond. I'll do another small sample to see what the LMB look like for length and RW and from there they are back to living a carefree life until next spring. 10" LMB at my current avg RW would be .87lbs 11" LMB at my current avg RW would be 1.1lbs
Are you able to track your avg growth per day from when you stocked?
1.5acre LMB, YP, BG, RES, GSH, Seasonal Tilapia I subscribe to Pond Boss Magazine
