Stocking in pre-spawn season.
You might be interested in stocking your own private dam with big mouth bass.
There is however some important points to remember:
1. It is illegal in many countries, and states.
2. You might need a licence for transportation and stocking.
3. The bass might not make it.
If you’re sure what you’re planning on doing is legal then follow the next few steps to get that dam producing record size bass!
First, Minnows (Barbus paludinosus), at least 3 000 – 5 000/ Hectare of surface area of water, to form a forage base, then Redbreast Kurper (Tilapia rendalli), Vlei Kurper (Tilapia sparrmanii), Dwarf Kurper/ Southern Mouthbrooder (Hemihaplochromis philander) or Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) or a combination of these (1 000 total/ Hectare) and, finally, the Bass (250 – 500/ Hectare) at least 3 – 6 months after the other fish. These Bass stocking rates are for fingerlings or fry.
Thus it’s important to stock your dam with local fish species, to serve as forage base. Do so months ahead.
Bass numbers are usually only available during November and December, that’s why you should have everything setup and ready during pre-spawn season.
Try stocking Florida strain bass, as they grow faster and larger than Northern strain Bass.
Many big lakes stock Rainbow Trout after two years of initial Bass stocking. You can repeat this every year or half-yearly. Trout contains a specific hormone which will increase the growth rate of bass which forage on them.
If your dam contains an abundance of weeds, which decreases the water’s oxygen level, you can stock a few Grass Carp. In my personal opinion it’s a bad idea, because they breed very quickly, is Asian, and will completely destroy your dams vegetation if kept for a too long period.
We’re in the process of stocking a new dam and will try to keep your updated on the progress.
You can see the complete article: http://bassboys.co.cc/stocking-bass-dam.php
