Bill, I agree with your thoughts on winter survival. The pond being in Michigan especially so because of the long period where new forage for the RES will be lacking.

I would like to add that I would expect a lot of winter loss of that size of any lepomis when numbering as high as they do in Josh's pond. I would expect that even here in Texas. Especially considering the condition noted (They don't hae a lot of reserve energy to withstand the winter famine). An interesting thought however is whether and how much of these overabundant RES might be food for other pond fish this winter. So possibly there is a decent standing weight of RES (maybe 20 to 30 lbs) presently that could sustain and support modest gain of predators that can consume them at their current size. So if 4"-6" SMB could benefit from this resource then nothing would need to be done to put the resource to work. One reason I suggested the 3 or 4 12"-15" SMB was because I though they could benefit and possibly make good growth over winter consuming the winter weakened RES. How much growth? I don't know but say 6 lbs of fish would definitely grow on a ration of 20 lbs of RES across the cool months. Of course, this does presume consumption as the predators would have to eat them to benefit.

So here is my question. Knowing the RES population will be greatly reduced by spring due to winter conditions would adding 3 or 4 adult SMB be less of a good idea? Are there risks in your opinion that outweigh the potential benefit, if any?

It isn't what we don't know that gives us trouble, it's what we know that ain't so - Will Rogers