There are slow growers, average growers and fast growers in every spawn of bass and this occurs in most other fish species. This is due to the genetic variation within the gene pool of the parentage. Very often growth rate of the fastest growers is determined by the amount and right sizes of available food. The individual variation of fish aggressiveness of especially predatory fish IMO exists and has also been reported and concluded to occur in the literature. Fastest growers usually have a more aggressive “personality” compared to those slow and average growers. It is those fish that are first caught by anglers. When one buys most all species of fish especially sport fish those fish as a group raised in a pond have been graded for a more uniform size; small, medium and large. Depending on what was purchased from whom and when does have an impact on the growth potential of each size group of fish. In the Fall those fish are sold as 2”-3” 4-6” and 6”+; all the same age.
It is common to see the growth slow down of LMB after they reach 3-4 lbs. Causes are often too many LMB were stocked based on the type and amount of forage and its production ability that exists in the pond. LMB, as they grow and then reproduce, the growing population will quickly overeat the new forage base and growth slows down for pond years 2 and 3+ years as noted by ewest above. This is often due to competition of stocker siblings and new offspring; all together,,,
overeating the forage base. Forage species present cannot keep up the densities needed to feed all the increasing poundages of fish. Having a constant overabundance food or having fewer predators fuels fast fish growth. As noted so far, your fish growth appears good for a Kansas climate. If forage base is the problem, growth the next year or two could further slow down or be slower than it was in pond year 2.
It is hard for someone here to give you more specific answers when the entire pond stocking was not detailed in your post for analysis.
LMB can grow to 7”-12” and maybe even 14” at just 1 yr old with ideal conditions of habitat, overabundant foods, good genetic quality and 24/7 high water quality. See this for examples of excellent LMB growth from our Common Pond Q&A archives:
https://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=125384#Post125384Good LMB growth after 15” long is 1 lb per year and exceptional growth is 2 lb/yr. As noted depending on numerous conditions.
Once LMB grow to 15” AND they are getting plenty of food,,, they can grow around 1 lb or more per yr. Noted below are some standard weights of LMB. The length weights will give you an idea of how well your LMB are growing since you know the current ages of the original stockers. In good conditions your bass should be growing 1 lb per year and have the listed weights . Currently your LMB growth is very good as 2 yr old LMB for being 3 lb, ave growth weight of 1.5 lb per year. Then after your bass get to 3 to 4lb per fish growth rates do tend to slow down mostly due to lack of adequate forages. Consider your pond management a success if you can grow a few 7 lb LMB after 8 yrs in your pond as one pound of growth per year in a KS pond. Going forward your management challenge will be to keep them growing at 1 lb or more per year that most importantly requires abundant proper sized forages. As LMB grow they "prefer" as in optimal foraging theory to eat larger and larger foods. Increased food benefit from each captured meal. I have now caught two 14" LMB each with bird legs in its throat.
Standard weights of LMB - note the weight increases around 1 lb per year for each 1”+ length increment.
Yr 1 12.4”=1lb, 15”=2lb, 17.5” =3lb, 19” =4lb, 20” =5lb, 21.5” =6lb, 22.7” =7lbs.
However - based on the info you provided IMO the 7” bass was from the 2024 year class. For a new Kansas 2 yr old pond your current fish look to have good body condition (RW) so they are appear to be getting enough food at this point in year 2 for very good growth so far Your challenge IMO will be to keep them growing at the current rate.
You ask – “Also what should the growth rate variance be between the LMB and SMB?”
From what I know about smallies their average good growth lags behind that of LMB. Often this is due to SMB often not growing optimally the first year where they can range from 3”upto12” long. Very often at 1 yr they are usually sold as 3”-4” long fish indicating to me as slowed crowded conditions. SMB growth at 1 yr can be a fast growing smallie and in optimum conditions it can can grow 1 lb per year similar to a good growing LMB. A 3 lb, a SMB (17.5” SW) with good growth is 3 to 5 years old and you had a few 2 yr old LMB that weighed 3 lb. Often a 4 lb smallie at 19” could be 5 to 9 yrs old based an average reported growth rates and on food quality and availability. Well fed SMB with optimum foods could be 4 lb in 4 years in IDEAL conditions. A well fed fast growing LMB could be 4 lbs and 19” at 3 years old. So often it takes the SMB longer to reach 4 lbs compared to a well or average fed LMB.
Did I address all your questions?
