Quote:
Originally posted by Meadowlark:
 Quote:
Originally posted by Kentucky Cardinal:
Is there a good sustainable forage fish I could add aside from the gills and fatheads?
KC,

If you limit the question to sustainable forage fish, meaning they do not have to be re-stocked periodically, then I would agree with the above responses. However, if you opened up the question to something like �Is there a better (more efficient) forage fish that could be used in addition to BG to provide substantial weight gains to my LMB (or predators in general)?�, the options may be somewhat different and even perhaps more desirable depending upon your objectives.

I�d like to address the broader question�if it does not interest you, then I apologize for wasting your time. There are a couple of "non-standard" options that may offer real benefits and depending on your point of view, be cost effective at the same time...but neither are sustainable in the sense that they require re-stocking each year.

First option, if you really want to give your LMB a shot of growth consider stocking Tilapia each spring when water temps are safely at or above 60 degrees. Tilapia will provide great forage for your LMB, work on algae, and take pressure off your BG and allow them to build up in appropriate numbers.

Second option is to stock 6 to 9 inch Rainbows each fall about the time Tilapia die-out. I haven't done this one personally (yet), but will stock them this fall and am expecting good results from them. The Rainbows will provide excellent preferred forage for the larger LMB and also provide some great eating and fishing through the winter months.

This approach provides a source of constant year-around superior forage for predator species....one forage fish is being added when the other is dieing off.

Economics? Several will argue that Tilapia and/or Rainbows are not cost effective because they have to be re-stocked. I don't agree...in fact, I see it completely opposite. Read about the reproduction rates for Tilapia, their weight gains, and do some simple calculations. Compare forage generated to other more standard options. Tilapia can generate a staggering the amount of forage. By reducing dependence on chemicals and by reducing the need for artificial feeding, they most definitely have a payback each season for me in my ponds.

Rainbows I'm not as confident on yet, but will have some first hand data this year. At the very least, they will provide great winter fly-fishing and food source...how much weight they add to predators I'm not sure of yet, but know the largest LMB in this country feed on Rainbows.

KC, this is a different way to look at achieving objectives of weight gain in predator fish. It doesn�t meet your criteria for sustainability (in the traditional way), but it may meet or assist you in meeting your overall objectives.
I'm always thankful for new info. I'd love to try these methods but in Kentucky finding a rainbow supplier might be tough nevermind the tropical tilapia.

Anyone know of any hatcheries that serve this area?