Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Anderson minnows-250,000 fry

I just read were anderson minnows will send you via federal express (air to michigan) 250,000 golden shiner fry for 275 bucks...has anyone done this before and will this help the pond forage or just be a quick snack for the perch and walleye that are already in the pond

I havent done it yet but I have been thinking about it. They were just talking about it on here a few days ago, See if you can find the thread. I would imagine some would make it if you have some good cover in your pond. If theres no cover and the bass are already established then they would probably end up as a snack.

Someone once described them as being this ' big.

They are fry, as in about the size of a pin and pin head. If you have the correct habitat, where they can escape predation and you have a good bloom going for them to feed on so they don't starve, there is a chance they'll take hold. If your pond is very predator heavy, with steep sloped banks and not much cover. Not good odds...

I have some algae growth from last year and my palletts are still in the water- I am overloaded with big tad poles (probably a year away from being frogs) would they eat the fry also??

Tadpoles wouldn't eat the fry. Any fish in your pond would, along with several species of water insects. If you don't have shallow vegetated habitat, it's my personal opinion you're gonna waste your money stocking the fry. If the habitat is there, just try to time your stocking with when you have a good bloom.

I say get the 130 count brooder size and let them spawn the fry for you. I think they would have a better chance of surviving. Plus once they get large they may produce for years.

Just a thought.

Dave, what is the biggest bass in your pond currently? If I recall correctly, they are recently stocked. They should be small enough that if you stock the largest sized GSH you can find, most if not all can avoid predation. If that is the case, then what MRHELLO said would hold true. You can also do things to add to odds they will pull off a successful spawn such as adding spawning structure. $275 should buy quite a few good sized GSH if you can find them.