Answer:

Stock at least 26# of tilapia in each pond, and make sure that they are between 1/3 to 1/2 the size of the largest LMB in there. Stock pure blue Tilapia, not hybrids, because the hybrid tilapia will have offspring that are mostly male - NOT what you want for long term reproduction. Talk to the "emeritus professor" and ask him what species Tilapia were stocked. If he says a hybrid, ask him about their reproduction numbers and what percentage of Male/Female Tilapia come from that spawn.

A Largemouth Bass can and WILL eat Tilapia up to about 1/3 their body length, maybe a wee bit longer if they are hungry enough. The Gators and Otters can eat the biggest Tilapia that are in there, so your only option is to stock enough that are large enough to evade getting eaten by the Bass to at least pull off 1 spawn before they get eaten by something else.

What is the bottom habitat like? Muck/mud, Clay, sand or pea gravel? If the first two, put 6" thick pea gravel in 1'-3' deep areas that are about 4'x6'. As you have observed, only one male will make a nest in that area. I would put down some Geotextile fabric first so the pea gravel doesn't disappear into the mud/muck. If you have sand, they will use that to make beds on.

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3/4 to 1 1/4 ac pond LMB, SMB, PS, BG, RES, CC, YP, Bardello BG, (RBT & Blue Tilapia - seasonal).