Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Raising Forage and Bait Brooder GS

So, I was wondering why some hatcheries sell these large "brooder" shiners. I thought that shiners were sterile after their second year due to an ovarian parasite? I would assume these large shiners are over two years old?

GS = Gizzard Shad
GSH = Golden Shiners

I'm guessing you are talking about GSH. Many hatcheries sell them, Anderson Minnow sells them and ships via mail (some states are excluded). I think, please confirm, GS will spawn at 2-1/2 to 3" and continue to spawn from there. If you pond/lake is already stocked with predators you will need to stock enough of them with hopes some will spawn and know that some may get eaten.

GS = Gizzard Shad
GSH = Golden Shiners

I'm guessing you are talking about GSH. Many hatcheries sell them, Anderson Minnow sells them and ships via mail (some states are excluded). I think, please confirm, GS will spawn at 2-1/2 to 3" and continue to spawn from there. If you pond/lake is already stocked with predators you will need to stock enough of them with hopes some will spawn and know that some may get eaten.

Agree with Boondoggle that they can begin spawning at 2-1/2 to 3".

I think a well-fed GSH at a fish supplier can grow to about 4" in one year. However, there is a pond owner that got 5-6" long GSH brooders in April, so either they can grow even faster under optimal care, or the supplier slowed them down and the ones that size were at least 1-1/2 years old?

How large are these shiners? If you bought 4" shiners in the spring, I would be pretty confident they were about one year old, and should be ready to spawn for at least one season in your pond.

[Non-expert opinion, just based on what I have learned on Pond Boss.]