Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose stocking

I HAVE A 56 ACRE LAKE IN NE ARKANSAS. IT WAS FULL LAST DECEMBER. IN MARCH I STOCKED 2,750 4-6'' CHANNEL CAT, 39,000 1-2'' COPPERNOSE, 13,000 1-2'' SHELLCRACKERS, 13,000 NATIVE BLUGILL 1'2'', AND 1,500 POUNDS OF ADULT FATHEADS. I HAVE BEEN FEEDING 36% BREAM FEED ALL SUMMER WITH 2 AUTOMATIC FEEDERS. MY CATFISH ARE POUND TO 1 1/2 AND MY BREAM ARE 4-6''. I HAVE SEEN NEW MINNOWS ALMOST MONTHLY AND THE LAKE SEEMS TO BE FULL OF MINNOWS. I AM READY TO STOCK F-1 BASS AND WOULD LIKE A RECCOMENDATION ON WHAT SIZE TO STOCK. AT PRESENT ALL I CAN FIND ARE 1-2''. WOULD I BE BETTER OFF WAITING LATER IN THE FALL TO GET BIGGER BASS?

That's a bit of a tough one. Part of me says wait and stock larger bass that the catfish can't eat so readily... the other part of me says there is lots of water there and plenty of room for both predators, and although you may lose some of the bass to predation, they would likely be half the price to stock.
Other site members with greater 'big water' experience will certainly weigh in with more details/suggestions.
MY question for everyone is why are so many people stocking catfish prior to bass which allows them to get to a size to eat the bass when they are stocked? Is this the recommended method in some areas? Stocking them prior to your desired game species?

Pottsy - My opinion is that most people do not believe or realize that catfish are predators. I keep hearing that they are "bottom cleaners" what ever that means. Still don't have that figured out. A big myth for sure. The fish trucks also push catfish big time on unsuspecting pond owners as bottom cleaners. Catfish are good if you want to catch and eat them otherwise poor choice in my opinion vs bass or other more glamorous predator.

My most productive efforts at catching catfish always come when I am using a 2-4" minnow rig... that tells me something for sure.
As I have read posted by many of you knowledgeable folks more then a few times; Big mouth = Big food.

If you stock now, using 1-to-2 inch bass fingerlings, your survival rate will be lower than low . . . just like the state boys get in public reservoirs when they stock tiny fingerlings in a lake full of bass, trout or walleye.

Your best bet is to stock more advanced juveniles, in the 4-to-6 inch range. These fish will cost more, but you'll get more survivors for the dollar.

Mark McDonald
Editor, Pond Boss

Here's another opinion. I would stock 2-3" bass, right now. Remember...you are feeding the catfish with pelleted fish food, minimizing competition, and still seeing plenty of fathead minnows. Catfish were stocked at 50 per acre. For perspective, remember an acre covers the area of a football field. That's really not many fish. Throw in the fact you have plentiful fathead minnows and sunfish, so statistically, bass survival rates should be decent. I would stock 50 bass per surface acre. Stock them in the same place, nearest cover or aquatic plants. Then, late next spring, bend the barbs down on small spinners, and see if you can catch a few 6-8" bass. They should look like footballs. If you don't catch any, don't panic. Notice how fast the other fish have grown? Bass will, too. As long as food stays plentiful, your bass will grow rapidly. Catching them may be a little tough at first. If you don't catch any by mid to late June, give us a call, let me ask you a few questions, or place another post here. This stocking plan will work.