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

Guy's,

Currently filling a new .9 surface acre pond with well water. New Vertex Pond Lyfe 2 system installed, 18' max depth with average of 10'.
I have just about changed my mind from stocking HBG to BG due to the fact I cannot find a reliable supplier in my area for HBG.

If I were to stock BG & LMB only. What stocking numbers are recommended for my pond size? These fish will be fed pellets throughout to maximize growth. Huge BG is my goal.

One local supplier told me (what I thought) some high stocking numbers. (2000BG & 300LMB) Thanks for the help.

Chad

Does sound off to me for a <1acre pond. Looking for big gills, or larger bass? Are you going to feed?

Cmm

Hey Chad,

What size LMB and BG(CNBG?) are you planning on stocking? The fact that you're going to stock pellet trained fish and keep them on full feed allows you to stock heavier but I am not an expert. Hopefully, some of the Southern members will jump in with some thoughts for you.

Good Luck!

Bill D.

Chad, for large BG, stock 1,000-1,500, and 150-200 LMB. Remove female BG once they become sexually mature and can tell Males from Females, and remove any LMB that are over 14" (not under 14").

What you want is the LMB to eat 99% of the BG that hatch, that way there will be plenty of food for the BG to grow fat and happy.

Thanks Guy's.

He said the BG are generally 2-3". The bass will be 3-4". Main goal is Big BG. Feed will be the primary source of there diet/buffet. Makes sense to cull the 14" bass. Thanks again. Pic's of new pond coming.

Chad

If wanting mainly bigger BG, I'd go with 600 BG, 100 RES and 200 LMB. If you have not stocked any yet, I'd add 25# of Fathead/Bluntnose minnows and 10# of Golden Shiners and Gambusia.

I'd also suggest NOT removing any LMB if wanting bigger BG. The reasoning is that the LMB will be over=populated and stunt. The surviving, but starving LMB will hammer all but the smartest, fastest growing BG. You'll have a lot of skinny LMB, a couple LMB that will be cannibals and become lunkers, along with a few monster Gills.

If deciding a more "balanced" approach with several nice eating sized LMB AND BG, raise BG stocking numbers to 1000 and lower LMB numbers to 80-100. Stick with about 100 RES for snail/parasite control and the Gambusia, FHM/BNM and GSH as natural forage for the smaller fish. After 3 years (second LMB spawn) remove any skinny LMB and about 50# annually of "less than fat" LMB under 14".

Rex, I suggested removing the LMB over 14" to prevent some big 'uns getting fat and happy on his larger BG. Keep the YOY cropped heavily and let whatever survives grow to trophy size.

My fear is that some of the stockers will be large enough to eat 8"+ BG.

Thanks Guy's

Rainman,

Could you educate me a little more about the RES? I see you mentioned snail/parasite control. How big with the RES get? Will they cross with the BG? Thanks for the information.

Chad

Catching a BG x RES cross will ruin you for catching straight BG.

Chad, snails are an intermediate host for parasites like grubs that can bore into the flesh of fish. Redear sunfish love eating snails, so they help reduce grubs and some other parasites that can sicken your fish population, though when fish is cooked properly, none of these parasites will harm humans.

RES will sometimes cross with Bluegill, and as sprkplg alluded, they are a fun fighting catch. The RES generally do get larger than BG, but only spawn once a year, and grow slower. RES generally have to be targeted near the bottom to be caught.