Your well considered question is about predator/prey balance. I like the idea of stocking forage in the spring. You get a lot quicker spawning without concern for possible winter harshness. They should be ready to spawn in 6 to eight weeks, depending on stocking size. If you think about an acre, it's just a little larger than the playing area of a football field. The task for the original stockers is to populate the pond with forage. When predators are added, they will eliminate a lot of the forage and help keep the pond in balance. Without the addition of bass, you wind up with a BG heavy pond. Bass will certainly thrive and spawn with those stocking rates. The catch and release mantra has led to having a lot of bass heavy ponds with a lack of forage and stunted bass. Monitoring and culling are necessary. BTW, research shows that the biggest predator of young of the year bass is larger bass. But, you still have to do your part.

It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.

Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.

Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP