Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose Grasscarp - did I stock too many?

Oops! I just put about 11 grass carp in 3 ponds - which range from 1/3 a acre to 3/4 acre. After finding and reading this site I'm afraid I've put too many in. Have I? If so, what are the downsides and how could I fish 1 or 2 out? Thanks!

I wouldn't worry about it. You can do a Search on this site about them. I remember a post that said one research study showed that they have a 50% mortality rate. As they get larger, their metabolism slows down and they don't eat as much.

The mortality rate is typically 10% a year. They will eat less in the North than in the South. It doesn't sound to me as being too many.

Grass carp have preferences for plants based on plant flavor and texture. More fish per acre have to be stocked when unpalatable and fiberous, coarse stemed plants are the main "weed" problem. So the required number of fish per acre depends on the type of "weeds" present and the extent or area of its coverage. After grass carp eat all the palatable plants they begin to work sorting through the upper sediment layers looking for invertebrate food items. This reduces water clarity due to resuspension of bottom materials.

PS : Aren't grass illegal to stock in Michigan waters?

Their metabloism does slow down when they are large old fish but this does not happen until they (as triploid fish) almost stop growing at about 36"-40" long.

After grass carp are stocked into a pond they are pretty hard to get out. I am not aware of an easy reliable way to remove them. If there are plenty of plants for them to eat, then catching them on hook and line has low probability. But after the palatable plants are consumed they will start eating fish pellets and are more likely to bite a baited hook. Numerous baits have been promoted from cherry tomatoes to worms. They are a very shy, spooky fish and once they are shot at they are rarely seen again.

I appreciate the help. I live in Michigan but have a hobby farm in Missouri where grass carp are legal. Thanks again!

catfishhunter, your hobby farm would'nt happen to be in Cuba Mo. would it?