How many BIG LMB would be ideal for a pond that is less than an acre in size. 5 lbers or so. These would be for Catch and Release only. Also only Females so they don't multiply...

If you can indeed stock females only...and it only takes one mistake to mess up that plan....stocking 100 LMB per acre will give you lots of action, but if you want to concentrate on growing larger fish, then stock less LMB down to 50 per acre.


Forage is always key to having a good LMB pond. It takes 10 pounds of forage to add one pound of weight to a LMB. One 5 pound LMB needs 50 pounds of forage to attain a weight of 5 pounds and needs at least 5 pounds of forage per year just to sustain it.

Meadowlark is correct. Forage is one of the most important aspects of having a good LMB fishery. Is this pond already established with forage fish?

A couple of rules of thumb also have to be considered. The "average" pond will support about 100 lbs of predators per acre. Intense and knowing managers, like Meadowlark, can push it to a higher level. But, it's a lot of work and the stars have to pretty well stay aligned in the heavens. We call that luck, management, and clean living. Water quality and the right forage are the keys to the predators success. Aeration can be a huge insurance policy in the water quality part of the equation. To thrive and sometimes even hold its own , a big bass needs to eat forage that is 1/4 to 1/3 it's length and size. It's a matter of energy expended vs calories received. Annual tilapia additions can help here.

As Meadowlark and I have both experienced, big fish in a one acre and/or smaller pond also become hook shy if you try to fish it over 3 or 4 times per year. Is it worth it? you be the judge on your energy and $ expended vs fun.

It is also better to raise the bass in the pond. Transplanting big bass can be problematic. Most that I've seen transplanted don't thrive or sometimes even survive.

Thanks fellas for the info. The pond was killed out then restocked with Fathead minnows, Golden Shiners and Coppernose Bluegill, Also Red-ear Perch... It is very well stocked with forage for LMB. So how long would it take, in your opinions, for the LMB to reach the 5 lb+ mark if I don't transplant?

With excellent forage and reasonably clear water, I've had 5 pound LMB in the third year. The really good fishing for me, however, has been in the fifth year with the real possibility of 8 to 10 pound LMB.

Have you decided on what type of LMB you will stock? Native, Florida, or F1 cross?

p.s. I agree w/Dave's comment on stocking fingerling LMB and my stocking numbers above were based on stocking fingerlings. I tried stocking 1 to 2 pound LMB once in a new pond and although it was instant good fishing, they really didn't grow out like fingerling LMB have done for me. Whatever you do, don't throw a bunch of 5 pounders in there...you will likely regret it and may never be able to balance the pond again.