I recently did a restocking with 150 YP and about two weeks later, found 6 of them dead. This is well within the 10% mortality that seems to be the acceptable rate. As mentioned by others above, none of them were floating. I found them all in the shallows by walking the pond perimeter. The water has some turbidity and tannin staining, so I can't bottom past 18-24" deep. Because of this, I wonder how many YP actually died and are on the bottom in a depth that I can't see. Either way, none of them floated.
I'm hoping to get some confirmation that some are down there thriving by using an Aqua Vu camera through the ice. This might be an option for you to consider as well. For now, there isn't enough ice to safely get out there.
