Fish Species

Channel Catfish (ictalurus punctatus) are a fast growing game fish that will do well in most ponds and lakes. They put up a good fight, make a great on-tray, and are the most popular fish in the world for stocking. Our recommendation for stocking rate is 100 per acre and restock every 2 years due to low reproduction. Catfish are omnivores so their diet ranges from tiny algae and insects to smaller fish in a pond. Channel Catfish are sold in sizes of 4-6''and 8-10" 

Albino channel catfish are the same except for their white/pink skin. 

 Grass Carp (White amur) help to control vegetation in ponds. These fish will not reproduce in ponds. These fish can eat their weight per day and can reach 45 pounds. We recommend 5-10 Grass Carp per acre.  

Bluegill (Lepomis Maciochirus) are a game and forage fish, essential to most ponds. Bluegill are food for other large fish like Large Mouth Bass or mature Channel Catfish. They are a game fish that is fun to catch and great to eat. They feed on plankton, insects and small fish such as minnows. Bluegill lay an average 15,000 eggs in each spawn. Almost all fish in your pond will prey on their offspring. Bluegill are sold in 2-3" and recommendation is 500 per acre, or a mix between other Sunfish to achieve 500 per acer.

Hybrid Bluegill (sometimes referred to as Hybrid Sunfish) are a cross of male bluegill and a female green sunfish. Hybrids are very colorful and grow quickly. They have an aggressive behavior so they are great for children and the impatient fisherman. They can grow up to 16" long and weigh up to 3 pounds when given a commercial fish food. Hybrid bluegill have limited reproduction 80-90 percent males as a result of the hybrid cross. Hybrid bluegill are sold 2-3" and can reach adult size in one season. Recommended rate 200 per acer when stocked with other sunfish. ** These fish are NOT recommended for swimming ponds - they are aggressive and will bite . 

Redear Sunfish (lopomis microlophus) (shell crackers) are bottom feeders. They feed on snails and will help control or break up the grub cycle in your pond. Redear sunfish can grow up to a pound and are typically 12 inches. Redear sunfish are 2-3". Recommended rate is 100 per acer when stocked with other Sunfish. 

Fathead Minnows (chubs, black heads or tuffies) are a fast producing forage fish that is essential for every pond and lake. Female will lay eggs once the water temperature is in the mid 60's and will reproduce every 18-21 days. We sell fathead minnows by the pound (medium sized 300-400 fish per pound) and recommend 5 pounds per acre new stocking. When used as supplemental forage for bass and crappie spring/fall we recommend 10+ pounds per acer to promote fish growth.

Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) are a predator fish that are used to help control the fish population. Bass can grow rapidly when good forage food is plentiful. Bass fishing is a great sport! Spawning begins in the second year when the water reaches 63-68 degrees for Bass and typically lay in late May or early June. The female could lay between 2,000 to 7,000 eggs per pound of body weight. Largemouth Bass are 2-4" and we suggest 100 per acre. 

Black Crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) are a sport fish. Crappie can grow up to 5 pounds and 18" long. They spawn in early Spring right off the bank and close to the waters surface. Crappie reproduce sooner than bluegill and bass so gives them a bump in the food chain. However this can also pose a problem for the growth of other fish in your pond due to crappie fry eating a lot of plankton. We sell 2-3" crappie and recommend 100 per acre. We recommend stocking with some predator fish to control over populating. 

Koi are a colorful, ornamental version of the common carp. Koi are omnivorous feeders who will eat food found in all depths of the water. These fish are fun to watch and feed. Koi are used in ponds to control vegetation. Great for Duckweed. When stocking for vegetation control we recommend 10 per acre.

Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) are fun to catch through the ice and are very tasty! Perch love flashy jigs. They eat small fish, aquatic insects, small crayfish and snails.  They can spawn in early Spring when water temps are between 45 and 55 degrees. females can produce 10,000 to 40,000 eggs. Eggs swell after fertilization and the ribbons mass may become up to 8 feet long. Incubation can take 12-21 days depending on water temp and have no parental care so most times are eaten by other fish. Recommended stocking rate 100 fish per acer.

Walleye (Sander vitreus) is a fish within the perch family and is a commonly stocked game fish. Walleye are a predator fish that grows slow and have little to no reproduction in our area. They primarily feed on small fish or insects. Fall delivery only and must pre-order through the fish farm. Recommended stocking rate 100 per acer.