Fish Stocking Choices

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass are the top predatory gamefish in a lake or pond.  Largemouth bass typically are fast growing (up to 1.5 pounds per year) and excellent to catch on a rod and reel (hence their gamefish classification.  These fish are critical to many lakes and ponds in order to maintain a proper balance or ratio of predator and prey.

Bluegills

Bluegills can grow up to approximately 12 inches long and about 4 1/2 pounds.  They typically are an excellent food source for largemouth bass; are fun to catch and make good table fare. Bluegill should generally be stocked if "catch and release" largemouth bass fishing is the priority.

Hybrid bluegills

Hybrid Bluegills are a cross between green sunfish and bluegill.  They are mostly males and don't reproduce nearly as fast as other bream. Stocking hybrids in a new or renovated pond will slow down or eliminate the problem of bream overpopulation. Also, they grow much faster, bite a hook more aggressively and can be caught all winter. At least some largemouth bass should be stocked with hybrid bluegill to consume the offspring of the adults that do reproduce.

Fathead minnows

Fathead minnows should be stocked with hybrid bluegill to provide bass with sufficient forage.

Channel catfish

Channel Catfish are a bonus in a pond.  They increase the productivity of a pond and do not compete with the other fish. You can put as few as you like or as many as you want as long as they will have adequate food. They can be stocked anytime. Channel catfish do not usually reproduce in ponds unless spawning containers are provided.

Ponds less than 1/2 acre in surface area are difficult to keep balanced with bass and bream. Small ponds are much easier to maintain and usually more enjoyable if stocked with only channel catfish. They will grow fast and provide plenty of fun and food with a minimum of work. You can stock about 500 fish per acre if you don't feed them and 1,500 - 2,000 per acre if you do feed them. You may also stock just hybrid bluegill and a few bass if you don't want channel catfish. About 10 largemouth bass per acre will control the limited reproduction by hybrid bluegill and enable the fish to get big faster.

Sterile grass carp

Sterile grass carp are incredibly effective for controlling most aquatic vegetation.  They consume up to 3 times their body weight in vegetation per day and may grow up to 5 pounds per year. In North Carolina only sterile grass carp are allowed. We have found that if you stock 20 grass carp per vegetated acre of pond, you can expect control by the end of the second year. Our customers have been amazed at the effectiveness of the grass carp. They control duckweed, watermeal, moss, submerged weeds, and even eat grass clippings. They may not be effective for controlling pennywort, liliypads, and tough woody vegetation. They are relatively expensive, but are usually the least expensive longterm solution for aquatic weed control. Large fish, over 8 inches long, are usually stocked to prevent them from being eaten by large bass in the pond.

Contact us to discuss your stocking needs.

Pond Fish Stocking - Pond Stocking Recommendations

Fish Stocking Choices