Fisheries Management

Fishing is an important use of recreational ponds. The widespread interest in pond fishing leads to many questions about the proper management of pond fisheries. Providing habitat, aeration, nutrient management, vegetation management, supplemental stockings, fish feeders, and watershed management all contribute to your pond’s potential for success. Let us survey your pond and help establish objectives for these management components so that your fishery can thrive.

Fish Stocking

Our live game fish are a great addition to your pond or lake. A pond stocked with healthy bass, bluegills and catfish will help provide a natural balanced environment and yield many years of enjoyment.  We have put together 4 different pond stocking packages to help in determining what fish would live together. The packages are suggestions of species and quantities and can be tailored for your pond or lake’s individual needs.

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass are one of the most sought after of gamefish. Largemouth are also well suited to most ponds and lakes. We supply a strain of Florida  Largemouth that are tremendous predators and require large amounts of forage to thrive. We generally recommend 75 to 100 bass per surface acre in ponds. Largemouth will reproduce in most ponds but require other predators (like bluegill) to regulate the bass population properly and avoid overpopulation and stunting. Stocking minnows will also provide an excellent forage base for bass.

Bluegill

Bluegill are one of the most popular sport fish. This species of Freshwater fish is often referred to as “bream” or “brim”.  These fish are strong feeders, so a robust forage base is necessary. With proper management and stocking, it is possible for them to reach sizes in excess of 2 pounds. Bluegill are opportunistic feeders and will feed on insects, insect larvae, small crustaceans and worms.

Channel Catfish

Channel Catfish are omnivores that can add some variety to your pond. Prized as a sport fish and table fare in many areas of the country, the channel cat can be a welcome addition to your pond. Catfish are easy to distinguish by their whisker-like sensory barbels and a forked tail. Primarily bottom feeders, channels also feed higher up. Major foods are aquatic insects, crayfish, mollusks, crustaceans and fish – not detritus or decaying material.