STOCKING RATES AND MANAGEMENT OF YOUR POND
RECOMMENDED STOCKING RATES for a one acre pond if you do not intend to feed your fish:
| Species |
Combination |
Largemouth Bass, |
Channel |
| Largemouth Bass |
100 |
150 |
- |
| Hybrid Bluegill or Redear |
400 |
600 |
- |
| Channel Catfish |
200 |
- |
300 |
| Black Crappie* |
50 |
- |
- |
| Fathead Minnows/Lb.** |
8 |
12 |
8 |
| White Amur*** |
3-15 |
3-15 |
3-15 |
RECOMMENDED STOCKING RATES for a one acre pond if you intend to feed your fish:
| Species |
Combination |
Largemouth Bass, |
Channel |
| Largemouth Bass |
100 |
200 |
- |
| Hybrid Bluegill or Redear |
600 |
1000 |
- |
| Channel Catfish |
400 |
- |
700 |
| Black Crappie* |
50 |
- |
- |
| Fathead Minnows/Lb.** |
8 |
16 |
8 |
| White Amur*** |
3-15 |
3-15 |
3-15 |
RECOMMENDED STOCKING RATES for a one acre supplementary fed pond with quality water supply and low level management.
| Species |
Combination |
Largemouth Bass, |
Channel |
| Largemouth Bass |
300 |
300 |
- |
| Hybrid Bluegill or Redear |
1500 |
2000 |
- |
| Channel Catfish |
1000 |
- |
2000 |
| Black Crappie* |
50 |
- |
- |
| Fathead Minnows/Lb.** |
8 |
16 |
8 |
| White Amur*** |
3-15 |
3-15 |
3-15 |
INSTRUCTIONS FOR TEMPERING FISH
Fish should be tempered before releasing to avoid shock due to temperature differential. To achieve propering tempering, add one quart of pond water to the bag, wait 3 to 5 minutes then continue to add pond water, one quart at a time, until the temperature of the water in the bag and in the pond are the same. Once the proper temperature has been achieved, release the fish into the pond.
*Black Crappie should be stocked in ponds with a minimum of 2 acres with 5 acres preferred.
**Fathead Minnows are recommended at the rate of 8-16 lbs./acre to establish a forage base.
***White Amur are recommended at the rate of 3-5 fish/acre for low vegetation; 6-10 fish/acre for moderate vegetation and 11-15 fish/acre for high vegetation.