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      Game fish

 

Feed (forage) Minnows:

Fathead Minnows:
Fathead minnows are essential to any pond.  They provide feed to all gamefish species.  Fatheads typically grow to a length of about 2-3 inches.  They consume large amounts of algae and are the most prolific spawners of all the forage minnows.  Fatheads begin spawning in spring, when water temperatures reach about 60 degrees and will spawn many times over the course of the summer. We recommend stocking fatheads at least one year prior to stocking any gamefish.  Fatheads should be stocked at about 2000 minnows per surface acre of water.  If minnows are to be stocked at the same time as gamefish, then we recommend stocking 5000 per acre.  Fatheads can also be added to established ponds as a supplemental food source.  Ponds should have some form of cover or bottom structure to provide a safe habitat for minnows and fish fry.

     

Golden Shiners:
Golden shiners are the key to growing trophy bass and walleye.  Growing up to 8" in length, they fill in the feed gap between minnows and smaller fish fingerlings.  Providing your large gamefish with a diverse choice of food is essential to their growth.  Golden shiners feed on algae and small water bugs called daphnia.  Although not as prolific as fatheads, shiners still are an important forage fish.  Shiners only spawn once a year usually when water temps reach about 65 degrees. Shiners should be stocked one year prior to the stocking of any bass and walleye at a rate of 750 per surface acre of water.  If shiners are to be stocked with the stocking of gamefish, than rates should be 1500 per acre.  As with fatheads, shiners should be provided with some form of structure to promote their survival.

                                 

Emerald Shiners:
Emerald shiners are a supplemental food source that will not reproduce in you pond. They are native to the great lakes and range in size from 1 to 4 inches. These minnows provide and excellent food source at a lower cost than stocking fatheads or golden shiners.  We recommend stocking emeralds in an established pond when trying to introduce a new species.  The shiners will act as a "sacrificial" bait allowing the new species being introduced to avoid being eaten by your established gamefish.

 

Suckers:
Suckers are a good addition to any pond.  Suckers will grow up to 24 inches and are fun to catch. Suckers usually require running water to spawn, but will sometimes reproduce in a pond.  Suckers are excellent algae eaters and also help clean you pond. Suckers will generally be eaten by any of the larger predator fish, suck as; Bass Walleye, Pike, and Catfish.

 

Game Fish:

 
Catfish:

 
Largemouth Bass:
 

 

 
Perch:
 

 

 
Crappie:

 
Bluegill:
 

 

 
Rainbow Trout:
 

 

 
Walleye:

 

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