Fish for Lake & Pond Stocking

Except for humans, adult largemouth bass are the top predators in the aquatic ecosystem. Fry feed primarily on zooplankton and insect larvae. At about two inches in length they become active predators. Adults feed almost exclusively on other fish and large invertebrates such as crayfish. Larger bass will prey upon smaller bass as well.

In Texas spawning begins in the spring when water temperatures reach about 60°F. This could occur as early as February or as late as May, depending on where one is in the state. Males build the nests in two to eight feet of water. Largemouth bass prefer to nest in quieter, more vegetated water than other black bass, but will use any substrate besides soft mud, including submerged logs. When the Largemouth Bass spawn begins and the female has laid her eggs in the nest (2,000 to 43,000) she is chased away by the male who then guards the precious eggs. The young, called fry, hatch in five to ten days. Fry remain in a group or “school” near the nest and under the male’s watch for several days after hatching. Their lifespan is on average 10-16 years.

Immature largemouth bass may tend to congregate in schools, but adults are usually solitary. Sometimes several bass will gather in a very small area, but they do not interact. Largemouth bass hide among plants, roots or limbs to strike their prey.

Channel catfish spawn in late spring or early summer when water temperatures reach 75°F. Males select nest sites which are normally dark secluded areas such as cavities in drift piles, logs, undercut banks, rocks, cans, etc. The eggs, if not devoured, typically hatch in about a week. Fry remain in the nest, under the guardianship of the male, for about another week. Channel catfish less than 4 inches in length feed primarily on small insects. Adults are largely omnivorous, feeding on insects, mollusks, crustaceans, fish, and even some plant material. Sexual maturity is reached in two or three years in captivity, whereas data from natural populations indicates channel catfish in Texas reach sexual maturity in 3-6 years. Most are mature by the time they reach 12 inches in length. Average lifespan in the wild is around 14 years of age.

Relatively new to the pond stocking world, Black Crappie are a cross between a Arkansas Black-Nose Crappie male and a White Crappie female. They exhibit limited reproduction but rapid growth, so there isn’t an issue of overpopulation in your trophy fishing pond. It is one great panfish to catch!

Spawning begins in the spring when water temperatures reach about 70°F and ceases when temperatures exceed 80°F. Sometimes spawning resumes in late summer if temperatures drop below 80°F. No nest is prepared. Adhesive eggs are scattered over algae or submerged vegetation and hatch in approximately 4 days under good conditions. Golden shiners are omnivorous. Plant material makes up about half the diet; the other half is animal material such as crustaceans, insects, and snails. The average lifespan of a Golden Shiner in the wild is 5 years, and are sexually mature at 2 years of age.

A member of the sunfish family, the Redear or “shellcracker” is known for its size and ability to eat snails, insect larvae, and cladocerans (cladocerans are small crustaceans commonly found in most freshwater habitats, including lakes, ponds, streams and rivers.) Redear sunfish are commonly found in your deeper areas of your lake, and are becoming a very popular game fish among fishermen. They are easily distinguishable by their red/orange colorations around their opercle. They will become sexually mature during their second summer, and will spawn during the summer months. Their average lifespan will usually take them through 6 summers.

Tilapia are a member of a group of chiclids native to Africa. Mozambique Tilapia are the species found in pond and lake management and stocking of private waters. These fish are very prolific, spawning as often as every 21 days during the warm months of the year, and can become sexually mature in as little as 3 months of age. These fish provide many positive outcomes for private ponds and lakes such as; very high fat and protein content as a forage fish, prolific breeders for rapid replenishment of forage fish, and the ability to consume Filamentous Algae and Chara in ponds and lakes. Now one of the world’s leading consumption fish, private water owners have discovered their ability to keep algae levels down, as well as provide a great forage fish for their Bass.

The cons to Tilapia include their zero tolerance to water getting colder than 50 degrees F. This will result in a fish kill, and they will have to be restocked the next spring. On the other hand, if they do not have a fish kill within 2-3 years, they can become problematic to your pond/lake by reaching to high of numbers, and becoming very aggressive towards your Bass. This can sometimes result in a lower annual recruitment during your Bass spawn.

Stocking albino catfish in ponds can provide a unique and attractive addition to the aquatic ecosystem. As omnivores, they can help to control the population of insects and other small organisms, as well as contribute to the balance of the food chain. The pond should have a suitable habitat with adequate water quality and temperature, and a balanced diet should be provided for the fish. It is also important to check with local authorities to ensure that you have the necessary permits or licenses for stocking fish in a pond, as these regulations may vary by location. Albino catfish can grow up to a length of several feet, so it is important to consider the size of the pond and the number of fish that can be sustainably supported. By properly caring for your albino catfish, you can enjoy their unique beauty and contribute to the health of your pond’s ecosystem.