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

I AM A LITTLE CONFUSED ON THE CRAPPIE STOCKING. I HAVE A 56 ACRE LAKE IN NE ARKANSAS. LAST MARCH I STOCKED 2,750 CHANNEL CAT 4-6'', 39,000 1-2'' COPPERNOSE, 13,000 NATIVE BLUEGILL, 13,000 SHELLCRACKERS, AND 1,500 POUNDS OF FATHEADS. NOVEMBER 1, I STOCKED 3,500 2-3'' F1 LARGEMOUTHS. I AM IN NO HURRY TO STOCK CRAPPIE, BUT WAS WONDERING WHEN THE APPROPRIATE TIME, QTY, AND SIZE WAS. I AM GETTING CONFLICTING INFO ON CRAPPIE. ALL I'VE EVER HEARD IS TO WAIT UNTIL THE BASS ARE BIG ENOUGH TO HANDLE THE CRAPPIE TO PUT THEM IN, BUT SOME REPUTABLE FISH FARMS ARE TELLING ME THAT STOCKING BLACK OR BLACK NOSED CRAPPIE IS OK NOW BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT PROLIFIC SPAWNERS LIKE THE WHITE CRAPPIE. ANY TRUTH TO THIS? ALSO I HAVE SEEN STOCKING RATES ON THESE AS HIGH OR HIGER THAN BASS. IS THIS POSSIBLE? MY MAIN GOAL IS TO HAVE A TROPHY BASS LAKE BUT WOULD LIKE A FEW CRAPPIE TO FISH FOR IN THE WINTER AND TO EAT. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO AND WHEN?

Here's my thoughts--yes, black crappie aren't as prolific as white crappie. But, that's a moot point, because both species will overpopulate smaller lakes and ponds.
I suggest stocking them a year after you stocked the bass. Since bass are your target species, and 56 acres is a lot of water, crappie will fill an unused niche(s) in your lake. But, bass need the year to establish themselves strongly enough to be the dominant predator species.
The stocking rate of crappie is higher than bass, simply because crappie are slightly lower on the food chain.
I would stock 50-75 crappie per acre. That should establish a flourishing population. You will know within a couple years.
But, focus your management efforts of bass and sunfish. The success of this fishery will be determined by bass and their foodchain.