Stocking and Managing Lakes and Ponds

Stocking lakes and ponds is more of an art than a science. Our primary goal is to assist our customers in maximizing their aquatic resources…

In order to maximize your resource and money invested, you must be aware of the many variables that affect stocking and management. We have found that customer education in these areas greatly assists the pond owner in correctly stocking and managing their resource. Correct stocking of each pond depends on variables such as size of pond, water quality, management practices employed, and geographic location. Stocking and managing a lake with future goals and expectations in mind takes a definite strategy and plan. It is not as simple as just going down, picking up fish, stocking them and waiting for spectacular results to occur 1-2 years later. It simply doesn’t happen that easy. Successful results are a product of well planned stocking strategies, followed by post stocking management and proper harvesting of the species. Since every situation is a little different, we suggest you call us and allow us to help you make the right decisions in order to achieve the results you desire for your lake(s) or pond(s). It is our desire to assist and insure that every customer is stocking the correct type, size and quantity of fish in order to reach their specific goals.

Ordering Fish:
To place orders, please contact Texas Lake Management at 830-626-6206. Our staff will gladly assist you.

Fish Availability:
We are affiliated with Danbury Fish Farms, (over 800 acres, with over 100 ponds). Therefore we have a large variety of fish available for stocking and more threadfin shad than anyone. Fish sizes and corresponding prices may vary from month to month. In the event of variation in the size of the fish, we will adjust the number of fish (up or down) in an effort to keep the dollar value the same. Be sure to confirm the type and sizes to be delivered or picked up prior to shipment of your fish.

Special Orders:
All fish types or sizes will be delivered to you via our professional delivery service. There is an additional charge for this delivery service. Our specially equipped delivery trucks and specially trained drivers insure that your fish are handled with the utmost care and arrive in excellent condition.

Pond Sizes and Depths:
It is important to correctly determine the size of your pond in surface acres. This insures that the pond owner correctly stocks the pond and can effectively manage the pond in the future. The pond owner should measure and record all measurements, and then determine the surface acreage of the pond. It is also important to conduct several depth probings in the pond, and to know the deepest point. This allows the pond owner to determine the average depth of the pond. By knowing the average depth the pond owner can calculate the number of acre-feet of water contained in the pond. Acre Feet = Surface acreage x Average depth.

Ponds Less than Three Acres:
Stocking and managing for species that will readily accept commercially available fish feeds is usually the wisest choice for ponds smaller than three acres. These species include catfish, coppernose bluegill, hybrid striped bass, largemouth bass on feed, and a few others. Fathead minnows should be stocked with these species as a base forage to supply supplemental food during the winter time and cut feed costs. Ease of management, high productivity, and longer-term recreational fishing are among the benefits of using these easy to raise species in smaller ponds. Largemouth bass (untrained to feed on feed pellets) and crappie are much more difficult to manage in smaller ponds and usually give disappointing results when stocked in them. However, largemouth bass can be successfully raised in small ponds if an intense stocking and management program is followed, and the pond owner is very disciplined to follow it.

Ponds Larger than Three Acres:
Larger ponds offer more management options for largemouth bass and other sport fish options. Bass in combination with catfish and other species will work well in these larger ponds. Strategic and correct stocking, management after stocking, and proper harvest are keys to success. When stocking and managing for largemouth bass in new ponds, a full compliment of forage species should be stocked well in advance of the introduction of the bass. The types, sizes and numbers of forage species is dependent upon the quality of bass fishing desired. When stocking forage into already existing bass fishing lakes and ponds, forage species are introduced on a regular basis.

Ponds With Existing Fish Populations:
Before attempting to stock an older lake or pond with new fish, it is best to know what types and sizes of fishes currently exist in your ponds, so that good decisions can be made concerning future stocking and management. Stocking fish into ponds where fish populations are unknown is usually not a wise decision and could be a waste of both time and money. If the stocking goal is to improve an existing sport fish population, the knowledge of the types and sizes of fishes in the lake is critically important. There are a variety of sampling techniques used to obtain this knowledge. Among them are: creel surveys (report of fishes being caught by rod and reel or other fishing methods), seine sampling, and electro-shocking surveys. It is our advice that before attempting to stock an older lake or pond with new fish, that the landowner take some steps to discover what types and sizes of fish currently exist in their ponds, so wise stocking and management decisions may be made. On larger lakes, we recommend that prior to making substantial investments in fish stockings, a lake survey be performed by one of our biologist. This step is usually one of the wisest investments you will make. Please call us for more information on this topic. If rough fish (unwanted) species are present, renovation may be necessary prior to stocking. Renovation can be accomplished by rotenoning a pond or lake during the warmer months or by simply draining the pond and starting over. In many cases, this method is the most cost effective way to get rid of unwanted fish species. After rotenone is used, a three-week waiting period before restocking is sufficient.

Fertilization:
We highly recommend that you fertilize your lake, especially if you are serious about good to excellent sport fishing for largemouth bass. If you are regularly feeding catfish in a pond, excessive nutrients are generated from the catfish wastes and uneaten food, and this provides enough fertilization for the pond. In this case, fertilization is not needed. Fertilization aids in the production of the food chain (microscopic plants and animals which are the basis of the natural food web) that feeds the fish in your pond. For more information, please request our fact sheet on pond fertilization.

Aeration:
If it is the desire of the pond owner to have a highly productive pond, we suggest that an aeration system be installed into your pond. If a pond owner installs the correct type aeration system, this system can be viewed like good insurance. They provide many, many benefits to the pond, prevent most long-term problems, and are well worth the investment. Most serious pond owners would make a wise choice in adding aeration to their ponds. Texas Lake Management carries a complete line of aeration systems. We have an aeration system available for any size pond. Aeration is very misunderstood by pond owners. This is evidenced by the countless types of self-employed pumps and spray bars erected by pond owners, which have little impact on the pond as a long-term solution to oxygen problems. We suggest that you consult us when considering aeration. By doing so, we can help you understand the concepts involved in aeration and help you get set up with the right system for your pond. For more information, please request or fact sheet on pond aeration or call our offices to inquire about an aeration system to fit your needs.

Feeding Fish:
Feeding your fish regularly with a high quality fish food is the single most important management tool you can employ in your fisheries management strategy. Feeding will greatly enhance your pond's ability to grow fish and will increase the pond yield, regardless of what type pond you have.

Muddy Water:
Muddy water hinders the growth of the food chain (all the tiny organisms in the water), thus adversely effects fish growth. Catfish (especially if fed) grow much better than bass in muddy water. Do not fertilize muddy waters. Improper water chemistry, watershed problems, erosion, wave action, cattle wading, or large trash fish population are some of the probable causes of muddy water. In many cases, muddy water situations can be corrected by the application of chemicals. Inquire about our pond and lake management services if you desire to correct muddy water conditions.

Harvesting:
Harvesting strategies (type, size and numbers of fish you remove or leave in your pond on an annual basis) are important in managing your pond for its fullest potential. In the case of catfish, coppernose bluegill, and hybrid striped bass, records should be kept of how many of these are removed so that restocking can be done as necessary. Harvesting largemouth bass from ponds and lakes needs to be strictly regulated in order to preserve the quality of the fishery. These harvest restrictions usually have to be evaluated on a regular basis and adjustments made accordingly. For more information regarding harvesting strategies, please request our fact sheet on harvest regulations.

Habitat (Structure):
Structure in a lake or pond is anything that provides cover and escapement for the smaller fish in the food chain. This covers such items as brush tops, stumps, logs, tires, old cars, culverts, machinery, etc. Structure is particularly necessary when managing for bass as it can supply spawning areas and protection for baitfish as well as a place to concentrate bass making them easier to catch. For more information on structure, please request our fact sheet on habitat.

If you have questions or for more information, please contact Texas Lake Management at 830-626-6206.