Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Adding LMB genetics?

How much value is there to adding northern bass to a pond full of northern bass just to get some new genetics in there?

Are you seeing a slow decline in LMB over a few years?

I caught less big (5-7lb) bass the last couple of years than normal. But, we've had drought with extended low water levels, more people fishing, and some changes in amounts of brush in the water. So short answer yes, we've seen a decline. Long answer is no, no evidence that it's due to genetic depression (no evidence that I know of anyhow).


I suppose I should rephase my question: Is it good practice to add genetics to a pond, even if there is no sign of a problem? Just do it to keep things healthy?

It can be good or bad depending on the current situation. The new genetics could be better or worse that what you have. Your problem sounds like management (weather, harvest etc.) not genetics. How does the overall condition of the LMB population look ? How old is the pond since stocking LMB and have you added any LMB since?

The biggest problem with adding new fish is that you have to buy fish that are big enough to not be prey. That gets expensive. You can often rotenone and start over to be ahead in a couple of years.

Never added and I don't think it was originally stocked. It's 30+ yrs old. Fish don't look to bad. I caught a few over the weekend (1lb-ish). No measurements or weights but they had thick backs and full bellies.


Do doubt Dave! Seems like anything I do (or think about doing) with the pond costs an arm and leg. Not starting over.


It's a good pond, just wondering if it can be better. Thought maybe if new genetics have never been added to refresh things that maybe it could improve over the long haul. Sometimes you don't know you have a problem because good enough is good enough.

There was a post awhile back about some LMB that were spawned early and held / transported to a holding tank and then later stocked into a pond that had some SUPERB growth rates of 2lbs in the first season.

I wonder if this same format could be used as a genetic refresh opportunity. If the LMB you stocked went in ahead of the LMB in the pond actually spawning wouldn't they be able to take out some of the fry of the current LMB? Some of them would get eaten as well, but LMB spawn and we have to regularly cull them each year or they overpopulate and eat holes in the food chain.


The other option would be to add female only LMB which I believe can be sourced from Harbin in OK (not sure about KS). I think those fish are typically in the 2lb range and shouldn't have much of a chance of being eaten and would also give you a better chance at the genetic refresh. Harbin doesn't sex their fish as I understand it, but it won't hurt your current set up if you had a stray male or two in the mix.

I don't know how many it would take. Might not hurt to specifically cull target size of fish you are adding to make sure you don't create a hole in the food chain .

How many LMB would it take to genetically enhance the population?

What's your forage base like?

If the population is 30 years old then I would add some different genes. First id an excellent source of LMB from your area of the country (not Fla but more northern for example). Make your deal in advance for a set number and quality of adult 1 to 2 lb LMB to be delivered next spring (26). In the meant time harvest the same number of LMB usually harvested plus the number you are going to add (harvest the low RW fish). Next spring (pre spawn) add the new LMB and habituate them for at least 24 hours. Depending on pond size you should not need a lot of new LMB. 10 fish per acre is more than enough.

Just out of curiousity Ewest. Why spring 26 vs fall 25?

I think my forage base is ok. Lots of bluegill, green sunfish (and hybrids), crawfish, and golden shiners. I also suspect baby crappie provide some forage, but I'm not sure on that. Usually when I clean a bass it's stomach either has a "perch" or crawdad in it.


I'm curious about the 2026 instead of 25 too? Would it be to give time to harvest an appropriate number of existing fish? Create a hole to fill with the new fish type of thing?

I wonder if it's to give it time to plan the work and then work the plan. Seems like every time something gets rushed in the pond business stuff goes crossways.

Timing a stocking pre-spawn seems tricky to me if you are wanting them to spawn in '26 as it's hard to "guarantee" deliveries (my personal experience) along with acclimation to the pond and "figuring things out" for the fish.

Totally me guessing though. Hoping to learn a little from the masters!

Forage base may be okay but could be missing a key component especially if you are trying to grow 5-7 lb plus LMB.

And unfortunately I don't know enough about this stuff to know if I'm missing a key component. We grow 5-7lb bass, but I'd sure like more of them.