““Stocking” Outside the BoxStocking” Outside the Box

  

Trophy Bass ManagementTrophy Bass Management

Greg GrimesGreg GrimesAquatic Environmental ServicesAquatic Environmental Services

Fish List for Quality/Trophy Bass Fish List for Quality/Trophy Bass StockingStocking

Bluegill SunfishBluegill SunfishRedear SunfishRedear Sunfish

Fathead minnowsFathead minnowsThreadfin ShadThreadfin ShadGolden ShinersGolden Shiners

CrayfishCrayfishLargemouth Bass(F1, Florida, Northern)Largemouth Bass(F1, Florida, Northern)

Gizzard ShadGizzard ShadRainbow TroutRainbow TroutTilapia (if legal)Tilapia (if legal)

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

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

Bluegill Sunfish Bluegill Sunfish ((Lepomis macrochirusLepomis macrochirus))

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

Shellcracker or Redear Shellcracker or Redear (Lepomis microlophus(Lepomis microlophus)

FatheadFathead MinnowsMinnows((Pimephales promelasPimephales promelas))

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

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

Golden ShinersGolden Shiners((Notemigonus crysoleucasNotemigonus crysoleucas))

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

Largemouth Bass Largemouth Bass ((Micropterus salmoidesMicropterus salmoides))

Gizzard ShadGizzard Shad((Dorosoma cepedianumDorosoma cepedianum))

Gizzard shad are filter feeders and also feed on benthic organisms. Gizzard shad are filter feeders and also feed on benthic organisms. Gizzard shad provide an excellent forage species for largemouth Gizzard shad provide an excellent forage species for largemouth bass. However they do grow large in size and can become too big for 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 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 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 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 they themselves do not spawn. To grow really large bass this risk is worth taking. Though threadfin shad are excellent forage when a lake worth taking. Though threadfin shad are excellent forage when a lake owner wants to grow true trophy size bass, they are the next choice. 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 Do not stock these fish until the lake is established with a high percentage of bass over 4 lbs. percentage of bass over 4 lbs.

Rainbow TroutRainbow Trout((Oncorhynchus mykiss)Oncorhynchus mykiss)

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

TilapiaTilapia

TTilapia are a tropical fish belonging to the cichlid family. Tilapia are very 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 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 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 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 bluegill. Tilapia feed on small aquatic organisms, fish food, and they also feed on some aquatic vegetation such as filamentous algae and water meal 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 that are known to be hard to eliminate with herbicides. Tilapia can survive in poor water quality conditions, however they die when water temperature poor water quality conditions, however they die when water temperature drops below 52°F for several days. They become lethargic providing easy drops below 52°F for several days. They become lethargic providing easy meals in the fall when temperatures drop to mid 50’s. meals in the fall when temperatures drop to mid 50’s.

The Old Tried and True Method (south)The Old Tried and True Method (south)Good for “balanced” pondGood for “balanced” pond

• Designed in the 1950’s this followed a plan to put food on the Designed in the 1950’s this followed a plan to put food on the table.table.

• Standard Stocking plan is 10:1 bream to bass. It calls for bream 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. 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 This results in a bass-heavy environment within two years if bass harvest is not taking place.harvest is not taking place.

Why continue this outdated plan if you want trophy bass Why continue this outdated plan if you want trophy bass growth? growth?

Our stocking plan is about 48:1. You add in other forage items and you Our stocking plan is about 48:1. You add in other forage items and you can see why you get great bass growth. can see why you get great bass growth.

Rates per AcreRates per Acre

Fish SpeciesFish SpeciesRecommended Recommended Rate/Number Rate/Number

Approx.Approx.

CostCost TimeframeTimeframe

Coppernose BluegillCoppernose Bluegill 2,000 1-2 inches2,000 1-2 inches $500$500 Once lake is Once lake is half fullhalf full

Redear Sunfish Redear Sunfish (Shellcracker)(Shellcracker)

400 1-2 inches400 1-2 inches $120$120 Once lake is Once lake is half fullhalf full

Largemouth BassLargemouth Bass 50 Fingerlings50 Fingerlings $50$50 JuneJune

Fathead MinnowsFathead Minnows 2,0002,000 $120$120 Once lake is Once lake is half fullhalf full

Threadfin ShadThreadfin Shad ½ load- up to 10 acres½ load- up to 10 acres $700$700 AprilApril

Golden Shiners Golden Shiners 10 lbs 10 lbs $80$80 AprilApril

CrawfishCrawfish 50 lbs.50 lbs. $150$150 Feb.-Mar.Feb.-Mar.

Total CostTotal Cost Initial stockingInitial stocking $1720$1720

Rainbow TroutRainbow Trout 200 7-9 inches200 7-9 inches $250$250 NovemberNovember

TilapiaTilapia 30 lbs30 lbs $210$210

Gizzard ShadGizzard Shad One LoadOne Load $1,200$1,200 3-5 yrs. after 3-5 yrs. after Bass are Bass are StockedStocked

EX:EX: Lake stocked in June 2006 with 2 inch Lake stocked in June 2006 with 2 inch F1 bass. F1 bass.

A bass was caught in July 2008 over 6 A bass was caught in July 2008 over 6 lbs. Just over two years after stocking.lbs. Just over two years after stocking.

Does the program work? You be Does the program work? You be the judge!the judge!

March 2007-less than a yr. 1.4 lbsMarch 2007-less than a yr. 1.4 lbs

October 2007- 3 lbs, 16 months October 2007- 3 lbs, 16 months after stockingafter stocking

April 2008- 4 lbsApril 2008- 4 lbs

ResultsResults

ResultsResults

2009 clients stocked with this program. The bass were stocked June 13, 2009 as two inch fingerlings.

3 year old Avery Upchurch caught August 14th at 9 inches.

ResultsResultsJeff 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 GeneticsBass GeneticsMixing 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 Bass Stocking- watch closelyclosely

Management PracticesManagement Practices• To maintain growth the pond must be To maintain growth the pond must be

managed;managed;

• Periodic EvaluationPeriodic Evaluation

• HarvestHarvest

• Lime/FertilizationLime/Fertilization

• Fish FeedingFish Feeding

• Fish Habitat Enhancements-MappingFish Habitat Enhancements-Mapping

• Vegetation ControlVegetation Control

• AerationAeration

Lake Evaluation

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

8-10 10-12 12-14 14-18 >18

Class size

%

ActualBalancedQuality

Class Size Distribution of Adult Largemouth Bass

Class Size Distribution of Adult Largemouth Bass

14-183%

>185%

10-1252%

8-1027%

12-1413%

Age and Growth Data

Standard Wr Table for Standard Wr Table for

Largemouth BassLargemouth Bass Length (inches)

Weight(lbs)

10 0.5

10.5 0.6

11 0.7

11.5 0.8

12 0.9

12.5 1

13 1.1

13.5 1.3

14 1.5

14.5 1.6

15 1.8

15.5 2

16 2.2

16.5 2.5

17 2.7

17.5 3

Length (inches)

Weight(lbs)

18 3.2

18.5 3.5

19 3.9

19.5 4.2

20 4.5

20.5 4.9

21 5.3

21.5 5.7

22 6.2

22.5 6.6

23 7.1

23.5 7.6

24 8.1

24.5 8.7

25 9.3

25.5 9.9

Example of Wr Graph

Relative weight of largemouth bass

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27Lentgh (inches)

Weig

ht (l

bs)

.

Standard LMB

Palmer Lake 2008

Palmer Lake 2007 Wr=102%Wr=115%

TAGGED BASSTag # Length

(inches)Weight (lbs)

Wr (%)

100 20.5 4.7 96

99 17.0 3.1 96

98 20.0 4.4 96

97 20.5 4.0 80

96 21.0 5.3 98

95 22.5 5.1 77

94 20.0 4.5 98

93 19.5 3.7 87

92 18.5 3.4 94

91 18.5 3.2 90

90 19.5 4.1 96

89 19.0 3.7 95

88 18.0 3.4 105

87 18.5 3.3 91

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

Wei

ght (

lbs)

.

Lentgh (inches)

Relative weight of Tagged Largemouth Bass

Standard LMB

Palmer Lake 2007

Palmer Lake 2008

Palmer Lake 2009

Evaluation of the Bluegill Evaluation of the Bluegill PopulationPopulation

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

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

3-5 5-7 7-9 >9

Class size

%

ActualBalanced

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

8-10 10-12 12-14 14-18 >18

Class size%

ActualBalancedQuality

Which Bass should you harvest?

Which one to frying pan?Which one to frying pan?

What about What about Now?Now?

Water QualityWater Quality

• Water Quality Water Quality parameters parameters measured:measured:– Dissolved OxygenDissolved Oxygen– pHpH– HardnessHardness– AlkalinityAlkalinity– TemperatureTemperature– Fecal ColiformFecal Coliform– ConductivityConductivity– VisibilityVisibility

Lime ApplicationsLime Applications

FertilizationFertilization

• Shades out vegetationShades out vegetation

• Increases pond’s Increases pond’s fishery productionfishery production

• Provides nice color Provides nice color when performed when performed properlyproperly

Fish FeedingFish 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 New lake not full but teaming with fish!teaming with fish!

LakeLake MappingMapping

Fish Habitat EnhancementFish Habitat Enhancement

More Fish Habitat ExamplesMore Fish Habitat Examples

BeforeBefore

AfterAfter

Vegetation Vegetation ControlControl

Aeration Methods- Lake Life Aeration Methods- Lake Life PumpPump

Bottom Diffused Aeration Bottom Diffused Aeration SystemsSystems

• Air compressor dispenses air Air compressor dispenses air through self weighted tubing to air through self weighted tubing to air stations placed in the deeper stations placed in the deeper portions of the lake bottom. portions of the lake bottom.

• Prevent thermal stratification.Prevent thermal stratification.

• Oxygen available throughout the Oxygen available throughout the water column.water column.

• Oxygen on the pond bottom = Oxygen on the pond bottom = beneficial bacteria.beneficial bacteria.

• Bacteria aids in organic Bacteria aids in organic breakdown, decreasing nutrients andbreakdown, decreasing nutrients andassociated foul odors and can lower associated foul odors and can lower algae growth.algae growth.

Follow the stocking and Follow the stocking and management plan to grow management plan to grow

Monster Bass! Monster Bass!

Aquatic Environmental Services Aquatic Environmental Services 770-735-3523770-735-3523FAX: 770-737-5135FAX: 770-737-5135www.lakework.comwww.lakework.com2050 Howell Bridge Rd.2050 Howell Bridge Rd.Ball Ground, GA 30107Ball Ground, GA 30107

Thank You, any questions?Thank You, any questions?