http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/gdb/

The subject of stocking Guadalupe Bass in small ponds has been brought up on a pond forum recently, and I wanted to ask the question to our Guadalupe River veterans who know the river and the various fish species.
Do you believe it is feasable since they thrive and spawn in fast water rocky steams?

I've never caught one - heck, I have never even seen one.

Smallmouth Bass are being stocked in ponds but school is still out on long term results.

George

This one came from a lake.

N8tivFish, can you provide your input?

Photos appreciated!
A good friend of mine is a northern state national recognized fisheries biologist who is very interested in our Texas state fish.
His associate did his masters thesis on the Guadalupe Bass.

Thanks,
George

Q:Do you believe it is feasable since they thrive and spawn in fast water rocky steams?

Absolutely. Keep in mind that Guad Bass are also nest guarding spawners. While their habitat preference tends to include higher velocity habitats, the reproductive strategy is very similar to the other black basses, nest spawning over a variety of substrates (gravel, vegetation, etc.) Case in point: As a Graduate TA, I took my Ichthyology class to the Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens for a field trip. The Sharelunker brood stock were actively spawning over door mats! The coarse material type of door mats that you would scrape the mud off or your boots. I know it may sound funny, but it works rather well in the hatchery environment.

Given the proper habitat, there is no reason a Guad Bass wouldn't successfully spawn in small ponds, but why would one prefer Guad Bass over a Florida LMB strain that grows bigger and faster? I'm all for the restoration and propogation of native fish, but if the goal of the pond manager is angler success, I would opt for the Florida LMB.

my uncle has a tank with a breeding population...yes

N8tivFish, I appreciate your response very much.
Here is a response to the same qustion by a noted fisheries biologist prior to your post:

�The lower fecundity of the females suggests that these bass might not be as prone to overpopulate as largemouths which is another reason they may be desirable for use as the sole predator in ponds or even in combination with HSB. They might work well in combination with GSH and redears or use with HBG. �

Note:
My question was of a general nature, but response on another forum is concerned about Northern ponds wheras Florida LMB cannot survive.

Agreed. Northern Pond, stock Northern strain LMB. In regards to fecundity, Guads produced much less eggs per spawn than do LMB, however, Guads are sexually mature much earlier in life than LMB which could also lead to overpopulation.

Regardless, if a pond is not properly managed (i.e. selective harvest of bass) the trophic structure can get skewed rather quickly. We've all observed stunted bass populations in ponds. Believe it or not, it's nearly impossible to convince folks to catch and keep a few bass every now and then. The "every bass released is going to be a lunker" mentality more often than not leads to a pond full of 12-16" bass with no real "trophy" bass.

I worked on a stunted pond this summer and the Ranch Foreman has for years tried to implement a selective harvest program for the bass. None of the guests/clients will keep bass. Consequently, the pond was electrofished and all bass 10-16" went in the cooler. We'll go back this summer and review the catch records to ensure a the pond is exhibiting a more balanced population.

Essentially a pond manager's goal is a balanced population of forage and game fish. Easier said than done, right?

Pond management! bring on the discussion please. We have two extremely qualified individuals holding forth. Y'all all pull up a chair with me and listen in.

question for a fish biologist:
Is there such a thing now as a pure Texas largemouth with no florida genetics?-p-

The "Texas Largemouth" is a Northern Largemout, at least thats what I'm told. As far as cross breeding goes, That's kinda the goal of TPWD. Florida strains get bigger, so they want to get the Big Floridas and the Big Northerns together and make big, record super bass. Haven't done a lot of research, so a lot of others will have better info.

Not that I know of. In Texas we have 2 subspecies of LMB, the Florida and the Northern. The Tiger Bass is the intraspecific hybrid of the two.

That being said, there is so much research, experimentation, and manipulation, of genetics there is no telling what science project someone will come up with next.

they need a rainbow x bass x carp hybrid to please this forum. hahah

how can you tell the diff bt a Guadalupe and a Kentucky

Guadalupe's like Tequila, Spotted Bass prefer Whisky.