how much does it cost to stock bass

Fish will cost you around $600 per acre for baby bass, plus at least $15,500 if the area has to be excavated, according to Field & Stream Magazine. Overall, your final expense might be over $26,000 when considering all your amenities. Important things to consider

Full Answer

How much do bass cost per pound?

This is based on what we found researching them online and looking through official websites. At Dunn’s Fish Farm, fathead minnows cost $11.95 per pound, and 6 to 8 inches largemouth bass can be bought for a price of $320 per 100 fish.

What happens if you over stock a pond with bass?

Stocking more bass than that will lead to extremely bass heavy populations (i.e. too may bass in the pond). When this occurs, the bass will eat up all the small baitfish in the pond. Once forage have been depleted, the bass will stop growing.

How much does it cost to bag fish for bait?

A bagging charge can cost $1.50 to $2 per bag. State permits may be required, depending on where you live. Refer to your state’s regulations to see what you’re responsible for. Stocking the fish is only the beginning if you don’t have a pond already.

How much does it cost to stock a pond?

How much does stocking a pond cost? Type of Fish Average Price Black Crappie $1 each Channel Catfish $0.50 each Coppernose Bluegill $0.50 each Fathead Minnows $12 per pound 8 more rows ...

How many bass should you stock per acre?

Too few bass will not be able to control other fish populations; too many bass will deplete the pond of its resources. If adult bass are needed, stocking them at a rate of 5-10 bass per acre will help maintain a pond's food chain and result in a healthy, thriving pond.

How much would it cost to stock a pond?

How much does it cost to stock a pond? Stocking a pond costs between $1.25 and $4.50 per fish. The price for stocking a pond with fish depends on the type of fish and how many will go in the water. Some of the most common stocking fish are trout, bluegill, bass, catfish, carp and minnows.

How many fish should you stock in a 1 acre pond?

A typical pond stocking strategy for a warm-water pond would be 1,000-1,500 bluegills, 50-100 bass, and 50-200 catfish per acre. Many recreational pond owners, however, prefer to stock bluegills and catfish to increase the size and population of bass.

How many fish can a 1/4 acre pond hold?

Large fish will prey on newly stocked fingerlings. Obtaining a balanced predator (bass) to prey (sunfish) ratio is the key to a healthy fishery. We recommend 100 bass to 500 sunfish per acre for a self-sustaining fishery....Fish Stocking Recommendations.Swimming PondSpeciesRedear Sunfish1/4 Acre1501/2 Acre2503/4 Acre4001 Acre5005 more columns

How much does it cost to restock a pond with bass?

$6.25 PER LB. $16.95 PER LB. SPECIAL DELIVERY ONLY When Available....SIZEPRICEAVAILABILITY250 TO 300 FISH PER LB.$11.95 PER LB.12 MONTHS

How deep should a 1/2 acre pond be?

8-10 feetThe main consideration when planning the depth of your fishing pond is what species of fish you plan on stocking. For warm water species like bass and panfish, an average depth of 8-10 feet is preferred in a ½ acre pond. Larger ponds can go deeper, of course.

How deep should a bass pond be?

3 to 4 feetIdeally, a bass pond should have a minimum depth of at least 3 to 4 feet. Bass don't spend much time in water shallower than that. Use soil left over from excavating shallower areas to form ridges in deeper parts of the pond.

How many bass do I need for a 1 acre pond?

In a balanced bass pond stocked with prey fish such as bluegill and fathead minnows as well as some channel cats if you like, a one acre pond can generally support 50-100 bass.

How fast do largemouth bass grow in a pond?

As with most fish, the growth rate of largemouth bass is highly variable and depends on food supply and environmental conditions. Largemouth can grow to more than 2 pounds their first year under ideal conditions, but in nature about 0.5 pound is normal. Females are normally larger than males.

How can I stock my pond for free?

Some states have free stocking programs. Check out your local government website to find out if your pond could qualify for these programs. If your state doesn't have such a program though, you may be able to stock your pond with fish you catch in public waters.

How do you stock a pond with largemouth bass?

Ponds should be stocked with one largemouth bass for every 10 sunfish stocked, he said. So, for the 500 fish stocked per acre, Sink would add 50 bass. Creating a pond environment that produces trophy large mouth bass takes some time, effort and investment, but is worth it if the goal is to create a great fishing spot.

Can you put bass in a 1/4 acre pond?

1/4 Acre – 5 pounds fathead minnows, 75 bluegill sunfish, 50 channel catfish, and 25 largemouth bass. 1/2 Acre – 10 pounds fathead minnows, 150 bluegill sunfish, 100 channel catfish, and 50 largemouth bass.

How much does stocking a pond cost?

Many factors determine the cost of stocking a pond, like company choice and type and size of fish. It also depends on how much you purchase at once and if it is one-time or recurring costs. There are many types of fish you can choose from, and our table below may help guide your decision.

What are the extra costs?

If you don’t purchase the minimum required quantity if an online provider is going to ship your fish, or when it’s a long-distance delivery to where you live, there may be an additional fee. This can be $3-$5 per mile, depending on how many fishes are delivered.

Important things to consider

At most fish farms, we found that they offer largemouth bass and bluegills. This includes catfish, minnows, carp, and koi as well. However, crappie is also a common addition to the mix of species you will find in a backyard pond.

How can I save money?

With most suppliers, the more you purchase at once, the more money you will be able to save.

Fish Pricing

Life is complicated. Pond stocking shouldn’t be so I’ve come up with fish stocking packages that simplify the whole process.

PRICE LIST

We handle Walleye, Northern Pike and Tiger Muskies in the fall. To place an order and get current pricing, give Steve a call. 740-502-5454

Why is it easier to control fish by stocking additional bass?

Therefore, it is easier to control these fish by stocking additional bass because they inhabit the same areas of the pond.

How many fish per acre should I stock in a pond?

Never stock more than 12 fish per acre into a pond with no bass. If the pond already has a few bass, I don't recommend stocking more than six fish per acre. Stocking more bass than that will lead to extremely bass heavy populations (i.e. too may bass in the pond).

What kind of fish are in Bailey Lake?

Turns out, Bailey Lake has a diverse fish population, with bass, bluegill, warmouth, green sunfish, shellcracker, crappie, brown bullhead catfish and gizzard shad. Of all the fish we sampled, the gizzard shad made us take notice.

What to stock a pond with?

Stocking Adult Bass. Bass are not only a fisherman's favorite, but they are also a key component to a healthy pond. A proper number of bass of varying size and age will keep other fish populations in check, which keeps a balanced food chain. If you choose to stock your pond with adult bass, do so carefully, in small amounts.

What do bass eat?

All they eat is plankton, and since they are plankton eaters, they can swim anywhere in the pond to eat, so they prefer large open water areas where they can see the other fish around them. In contrast, look at the biology of the bass. It is an ambush predator.

Do bass stop growing?

Once forage have been depleted, the bass will stop growing. Fish need food to grow. They are not like us. They can grow their entire life, if sufficient food is available. When stocking adult bass, it is critical to make sure the food chain is established.

Can bass be used to control fish?

Therefore, bass can be used as a natural control to fish populations, as long as the food chain is kept in check. Too few bass will not be able to control other fish populations; too many bass will deplete the pond of its resources.

What fish to stock in pond?

The most common strategy for pond and lake stocking is to combine largemouth bass and bluegill (and/or redeared sunfish). The combination of bass and bluegill generally works well in lakes larger than one acre and provides excellent fishing for both species indefinitely because of their relationship. The best part of the bass and bluegill lake ...

What is the best part of a bass lake?

The best part of the bass and bluegill lake system is its simplicity. In a well functioning pond, phytoplankton, zooplankton, and insect larvae will be abundant enough to supply food for bass fry and all sizes of bluegill. The bluegill will reproduce and grow rapidly with the abundant food and provide excellent forage for bass.

Can you stock catfish in a bass pond?

Another option is to stock channel catfish in a bass and bluegill pond. If a pond owner decides to stock catfish they need to be aware that catfish will consume a portion of the food supply and somewhat reduce the total pounds of bass and bluegill the pond can maintain.

How big do largemouth bass get?

Largemouth Bass have a jawbone that extends beyond the back of the eye and the two dorsal fins are nearly separated or deeply notched. The Largemouth Bass can grow up to 20 lbs. , however the typical weight is 1 to 6 lbs.

How many inches of metal should I use for a grass carp barrier?

The recommended barrier uses 3/4 inch smooth, round metal bars as vertical supports on five-foot centers and 3/8 inch smooth, round bars horizontally on 1-3/8 inch centers. Sizes Vary Depending on Time of Year.

How big do black crappies get?

The Black Crappie can grow to be 5 lbs., however they are usually less than 2 lbs. The Black Crappie spawn near emergent vegetation close to shore or fine gravel bottom when water temperatures reach 62-65 degrees. It is recommended not to put Crappie in any body of water that is less than five surface acres.