Pond Stocking in Texas

Correctly stocking and managing a Texas pond provides exceptional fishing opportunities.

When stocking a Texas pond, the choice of fish depends on pond size and the goals of the owner. Proper stocking and management is essential to maintain a balance between predatory fish and forage fish eaten by predator species.

Desirable Species

A properly stocked pond larger than one acre in Texas should consist of largemouth bass, bluegill and redear sunfish. For ponds less than one acre or as a supplement to bass in ponds larger than one acre, blue and channel catfish are an excellent choice. Stock hybrid striped bass in a pond of any size, as they do not reproduce in ponds.

Forage Species

Bluegill produce in large numbers and small bluegill provide food for bass. Threadfin shad are also a food source for bass but cannot tolerate bass predation for long periods. Stock redear sunfish as forage for bluegill and fathead minnows as forage for catfish not regularly fed.

Unsuitable Species

Crappie eat small bass and compete with large bass for food. Carp and bullheads feed on the bottom of the pond and muddy the water. Green sunfish have a tendency to overpopulate in Texas ponds, and flathead catfish consume large quantities of all fish species.

References

• Texas Agricultural Extension Service: Management of Recreational Fish Ponds in Texas
• Texas Agricultural Extension Service: Texas farm Ponds: Stocking, Assessment, and Management Recommendations