Thanks Bruce for your much appreciated information - it’s sorta like trying to get a drink of water from a fire hydrant
- and speaking of water hoses – the ¼ acre pond is a quarter of a mile from the 2 acre pond and nearest water hose…..!
My goal is to have a diversified population of healthy, catchable LMB and HSB with forage fish composed of bluegill and tilapia.
I am interested in “reasonable” numbers of HSB with annual supplemental stocking. With your experience of survival percentages I have a much better idea of stocking sizes and numbers.
Based on your information, I am inclined to postpone the "grow-out" 1/4 acre pond experiment, and supplement the 2 acre pond with 6-8 inch HSB and risk the 45-50% LMB predation, which is an encouraging survival rate, compared to 20% or less previously experienced with 4-6 inch stockers.
Thanks for all the help – much appreciated.
