Originally Posted By: Bodock
This is a timely subject. This begs the question whether one should stock a new lake with fingerlings in the winter or wait until early Spring. If fish don't grow in the winter it seems all your doing is exposing your investment to bird predation, possible winter kills, and more. Of course all the hatchery guys are pushing to stock ASAP regardless.

In addition to the availability points Dr. Perca made, fish stocked in the Fall are present and eating (assuming food is available in the pond) during late Fall and early Spring, even if no growth occurs in the dead of Winter.

I stocked 3" to 6" SMB 11 months ago (Nov 2008) into a new pond full of FHM and Gams. I was very happy with the growth they had managed by the time the usual Spring stocking season rolled around this year.

Last edited by Theo Gallus; 10/21/09 10:05 AM.
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