“Stocking” Outside the Box Trophy Bass Management Greg Grimes Aquatic Environmental Services

Fish List for Quality/Trophy Bass Stocking Bluegill Sunfish Redear Sunfish Fathead minnows Threadfin Shad Golden Shiners Crayfish Largemouth Bass(F1, Florida, Northern) Gizzard Shad Rainbow Trout Tilapia (if legal)

Forage stocking-Foxworthy 52,000 bluegill, 52,000 fathead minnows and 5200 redear

Known as bream to many, they are the backbone of forage production for largemouth bass ponds. Bluegill are very prolific, reproducing multiple times a season (3-5 times/year). This provides largemouth bass with a large quantity of food while still allowing themselves to sustain a healthy thriving population. They spawn in large colonies of nest in 3 to 6 feet in depth over sandy and gravel substrates close to the shore. Spawning occurs when water temperatures reach 67-70°F. Bluegill readily eat floating fish food and have great growth rates from supplemental feeding. They also provide excellent fishing opportunities for kids and novice fishermen and are good to eat. There are two subspecies of bluegill native (also called Mississippi) and coppernose. The coppernose are better suited for warm climates and are aggressive with supplemental feeding program. Bluegill Sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus)

Also known as bream, the Shellcracker occupy a different ecological niche than bluegill, improving the utilization of the pond’s natural productivity. Shellcracker eat snails along with other invertebrates present in the pond and can help to reduce the incidence of some fish parasites (i.e., grubs, flatworms) that use a snail as a intermediate host. Similar to other bream species, Shellcracker are a favorite prey fish for bass. They can grow larger than bluegill, but they are not as prolific, since they reproduce only once per year. Usually distinguished from bluegill by presence of red or orange ear tab. Shellcracker or Redear (Lepomis microlophus Shellcracker or Redear (Lepomis microlophus)

Fathead Minnows (Pimephales promelas) Fathead minnows are typical stocked only in new lakes at the same time the bluegill and redear sunfish are stocked. Fathead minnows provide a excellent forage species for young, newly stocked bass and help reduce feeding pressure on the bluegill from the bass. Fathead minnows will reproduce at a high rate but will become almost non existent after a year or so due to predation from the bass. However, during the time that the fathead minnows population numbers are high, the bluegill are flourishing and getting a head start on the bass due to less Pressure from the bass. This is why fathead minnows play such a critical role in a newly stocked lake.

This species occupies an additional niche in the ecosystem and improves lake productivity since they mostly feed on phytoplankton. They provide a rich and abundant source of protein for largemouth bass. It is critical for establishment to stock in the spring with spawn ready shad. This means adult size (>2 inches) shad gathered when they are surfacing in efforts to spawn. The numbers need to be high enough to survive initial bass predation in lakes where already established. The bluegill population will increase due to less predation pressure allowing higher recruitment of medium size bluegill. Threadfin Shad (Dorosoma petenense)

Golden shiners feed on small aquatic organisms and provide an additional forage species for largemouth bass. They are known to eat the eggs of other species. This provides a management concern. However, this can help to keep the bass population from becoming over abundant. They routinely reach sizes up to 10 inches in length providing a larger prey item than threadfin shad. Golden Shiners (Notemigonus crysoleucas)

Crayfish Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) Called swamp bugs, crawfish, crawdads or crayfish they are an asset to growing big bass. Stocking rates are less for a new pond than existing lake. Establishment is accomplished usually with 50 lbs/acre. They occupy a different niche and in the right environment aid in bass growth. Some also feel they create a situation where the bass bite better as well. Crayfish thrive when they have hiding places, thick trees are good but rock and concrete are even better. They also need a high hardness, something that should be achieved with a good lime application.

Largemouth bass are the preferred game fish in the U.S. providing exciting fishing for anglers. They will eat just about anything that they can fit into their mouths making it the top end predator in most ponds. Largemouth bass begin to spawn when the water temperature reaches 63-68°F, normally once a year the in early spring before bluegill begin to spawn. There are two known subspecies, Florida and Northern. Florida bass are known to grow quite large but research has shown them to be less aggressive when adults thus harder to catch. Northern bass are more aggressive but do not have the top end potential of Florida bass. The F1 is a cross between the two having the characteristics of both. You can also have Fx bass that are a mix of genetics of both subspecies. Lower stocking densities provide increased initial growth during critical early year growth periods. Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides)

Gizzard Shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) Gizzard shad are filter feeders and also feed on benthic organisms. Gizzard shad provide an excellent forage species for largemouth bass. However they do grow large in size and can become too big for a bass to eat. Due to this it is critical to monitor their size to prevent what is called a “gizzard shad lockup”. This is where large gizzard shad too big for bass use up a large amount of food in the lake and they themselves do not spawn. To grow really large bass this risk is worth taking. Though threadfin shad are excellent forage when a lake owner wants to grow true trophy size bass, they are the next choice. Do not stock these fish until the lake is established with a high percentage of bass over 4 lbs.

Rainbow Trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss) Rainbow trout provide a good game fish for children and novice fisherman and they diversify the fishing options of the pond. Rainbow trout are aggressive fish that bite well during the cooler months of the year when other fish are not as active and survive temperatures up to 70 o F. When stocked in November/December they will provide six months or more of fun fishing before dying in the summer heat. They take awhile to float and rarely do you ever see any dead fish. They prove excellent high protein forage when stocked at smaller sizes utilized by the bass. Rainbow Trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss) Rainbow trout provide a good game fish for children and novice fisherman and they diversify the fishing options of the pond. Rainbow trout are aggressive fish that bite well during the cooler months of the year when other fish are not as active and survive temperatures up to 70 o F. When stocked in November/December they will provide six months or more of fun fishing before dying in the summer heat. They take awhile to float and rarely do you ever see any dead fish. They prove excellent high protein forage when stocked at smaller sizes utilized by the bass.

Tilapia T ilapia are a tropical fish belonging to the cichlid family. Tilapia are very prolific and under the right conditions a female tilapia can produce 500 plus fry every 3-5 weeks. Stocking tilapia provides a tremendous amount of additional forage for the bass, but also helps reduce feeding pressure on the bluegill. Tilapia feed on small aquatic organisms, fish food, and they also feed on some aquatic vegetation such as filamentous algae and water meal that are known to be hard to eliminate with herbicides. Tilapia can survive in poor water quality conditions, however they die when water temperature drops below 52°F for several days. They become lethargic providing easy meals in the fall when temperatures drop to mid 50’s. T ilapia are a tropical fish belonging to the cichlid family. Tilapia are very prolific and under the right conditions a female tilapia can produce 500 plus fry every 3-5 weeks. Stocking tilapia provides a tremendous amount of additional forage for the bass, but also helps reduce feeding pressure on the bluegill. Tilapia feed on small aquatic organisms, fish food, and they also feed on some aquatic vegetation such as filamentous algae and water meal that are known to be hard to eliminate with herbicides. Tilapia can survive in poor water quality conditions, however they die when water temperature drops below 52°F for several days. They become lethargic providing easy meals in the fall when temperatures drop to mid 50’s.

The Old Tried and True Method (south) Good for “balanced” pond Designed in the 1950’s this followed a plan to put food on the table. Designed in the 1950’s this followed a plan to put food on the table. Standard Stocking plan is 10:1 bream to bass. It calls for bream stocking at 500 or 1000 if fertilized and 50/100 bass per acre. This results in a bass-heavy environment within two years if bass harvest is not taking place. Standard Stocking plan is 10:1 bream to bass. It calls for bream stocking at 500 or 1000 if fertilized and 50/100 bass per acre. This results in a bass-heavy environment within two years if bass harvest is not taking place. Why continue this outdated plan if you want trophy bass growth? Our stocking plan is about 48:1. You add in other forage items and you can see why you get great bass growth.

Rates per Acre Fish Species Recommended Rate/Number Approx.CostTimeframe Coppernose Bluegill 2, inches $500 Once lake is half full Redear Sunfish (Shellcracker) inches $120 Once lake is half full Largemouth Bass 50 Fingerlings $50June Fathead Minnows 2,000$120 Once lake is half full Threadfin Shad ½ load- up to 10 acres $700April Golden Shiners 10 lbs $80April Crawfish 50 lbs. $150Feb.-Mar. Total Cost Initial stocking $1720 Rainbow Trout inches $250November Tilapia 30 lbs $210 Gizzard Shad One Load $1, yrs. after Bass are Stocked

EX: Lake stocked in June 2006 with 2 inch F1 bass. A bass was caught in July 2008 over 6 lbs. Just over two years after stocking. Does the program work? You be the judge! March 2007-less than a yr. 1.4 lbs October lbs, 16 months after stocking April lbs Results

Results 2009 clients stocked with this program. The bass were stocked June 13, 2009 as two inch fingerlings. 3 year old Avery Upchurch caught August 14 th at 9 inches.

Results Jeff Foxworthy Pond Stocked same day June 13, 2009 with fingerling bass. Later also stocked with advanced bass ( see next slide). We expect these bass to be over 12 inches by the end of this fall and pushing 2 lbs one year after stocking. 9 inches in August

Bass Genetics Mixing of bass Genetics Depending on Goals Trophy Bass- More Florida- 50/50 with F1 Quality Bass- 75% F1 25% Florida Aggressive Bass- 50/50 F1 and Northern Mix all three subspecies Advanced Fingerlings- Aggressive, Best/Fastest Growers?

Bass Stocking- watch closely

Management Practices To maintain growth the pond must be managed; To maintain growth the pond must be managed; Periodic Evaluation Periodic Evaluation Harvest Harvest Lime/Fertilization Lime/Fertilization Fish Feeding Fish Feeding Fish Habitat Enhancements-Mapping Fish Habitat Enhancements-Mapping Vegetation Control Vegetation Control Aeration Aeration

Lake Evaluation

Class Size Distribution of Adult Largemouth Bass

Age and Growth Data

Standard Wr Table for Largemouth Bass Length (inches) Weight (lbs) Length (inches) Weight (lbs)

Example of Wr Graph Wr=102% Wr=115%

TAGGED BASS Tag #Length (inches) Weight (lbs) Wr (%)

Evaluation of the Bluegill Population The suppressed number of 3-5 inch bluegill indicate a high predation pressure of bass due to a heavy bass population that feeds on this particular class size.

Which Bass should you harvest?

Which one to frying pan? What about Now?

Water Quality Water Quality parameters measured: Water Quality parameters measured: –Dissolved Oxygen –pH –Hardness –Alkalinity –Temperature –Fecal Coliform –Conductivity –Visibility

Lime Applications

Fertilization Shades out vegetation Shades out vegetation Increases pond’s fishery production Increases pond’s fishery production Provides nice color when performed properly Provides nice color when performed properly

Fish Feeding Feed the forage- suggest Purina Game Fish Chow or 36% protein. Feed mainly for bluegill, but shad, fatheads, golden shiners, tilapia and rainbow trout utilize as well. Direct Feeding of Bass- feeders being developed to use Aquamax Largemouth Nuggets. Theo’s bass grown on feed, 158% relative weight.

New lake not full but teaming with fish!

Lake Mapping

Fish Habitat Enhancement

More Fish Habitat Examples

Before After Vegetation Control

Aeration Methods- Lake Life Pump

Bottom Diffused Aeration Systems Air compressor dispenses air through self weighted tubing to air stations placed in the deeper portions of the lake bottom. Air compressor dispenses air through self weighted tubing to air stations placed in the deeper portions of the lake bottom. Prevent thermal stratification. Prevent thermal stratification. Oxygen available throughout the water column. Oxygen available throughout the water column. Oxygen on the pond bottom = beneficial bacteria. Oxygen on the pond bottom = beneficial bacteria. Bacteria aids in organic breakdown, decreasing nutrients and associated foul odors and can lower algae growth. Bacteria aids in organic breakdown, decreasing nutrients and associated foul odors and can lower algae growth.

Follow the stocking and management plan to grow Monster Bass!

Aquatic Environmental Services FAX: Howell Bridge Rd. Ball Ground, GA Thank You, any questions?