Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations rock bass

just wondering if anyone knew how rock bass would do in ponds and also how catfish do when put in with bass and bluegill

I have them in our 4 acre lake and love them. They are about the same size of bluegill but, at least in my experience, are a bit easier to catch. I over stock predators to keep them under control. Look at the discussion about high diversity lakes for more information.

Rock bass are predatory sunfish. With a relatively large mouth compared to bluegill, rock bass compete similar to crappie. They grow as large as 10 inches, maybe a pound, fun on a fly rod or light tackle. Rock bass reproduce once yearly, so aren't a viable forage fish for bass. A full grown rock bass has a mouth size to compete with 8-10" largemouth bass.
You won't find many hatcheries which grow them, but I find them often in ponds which mingles water with natural sources as creeks, rivers or larger public lakes.
Rock bass are not typically used in pond management.

Is it safe to introduce young species of fish into ponds/lakes from native/local lakes....for instance rock bass. Although I don't have interest in those I do have a slight interest in a dozen or so stripers...which can't be bought at any private hatcheries that I know of, only state or government ran programs.

Just out of curiosity....Norm where do you get all the species of fish you have?

Chris

Are there any combinations of fishe that go well together besides bluegill sunfish and bass

pondenvy. I get most of my fish from Richard Carlson at Wayne, Nebr. 402-375-3262 rcarlson@bloomnet.com He almost always has LMB, SMB, wipers, walleyes, perch, bluegills, crappie, grass carp and catfish. He will get anything a person wants. I think he gets his rock bass out of Missouri.

Keep in mind that I am helping many people fish that people in SD fisheries wish they had the time and money to help. They help me with other species. Contact your local Iowa fisheries supervisor and ask their help.

THANKS FOR THE INFO NORM

Triton Yes, it can be dangerous to import locally caught fish. Disease such as Largemouth Bass Virus can wipe you out. How can you tell a diseased fish? Virtually impossible. I know some serious aquarium owners that isolate or quarantine newly purchased fresh and saltwater fish before they add them to their population.

Although I think the risk is low, I just don't think it is worth it.

Pondenvy:

Be careful with rock bass. I have a 19 ac lake and over the last 2 years have been trying to get rid of them for the same reasons Bob Lusk stated here and Bill Cody stated to me in the past. There is only so much biomass in your body of water so be careful. I have LMB, SMB, yellow perch and bluegill in my warm water lake. Maybe in a year or two I will add walleye to the mix, therefore creating 3 predator fish and more potential pond management problems? But for the time being I am adding A 250 ton of rip rap rock along the east shoreline to create eddies in the water from the strong westerly winds to encourage natural spawning from these small lake type walleye in our area. Time will tell if they will reproduce? Just be careful about adding rock bass and upsetting your food chain.

Rowly