P2525

Sport Fish Suppliers and Stocking Guidelines for Stocking Mississippi Ponds

As a pond owner, you face decisions in selecting a fish supplier. Here are some questions to ask before making an informed decision:

Is there a warranty on the fish? Keep in mind that fish may be delivered alive but may die several days later because of hauling stress, insufficient tempering to the pond water, or disease. Get it in writing.
Does the supplier produce the fish, or does he or she buy them from a third party? Vendors who produce their own fish are more likely to know the health history and pedigree of the fish.
What species and sizes of fish do they supply? Not all suppliers sell all species of fish, and the sizes, strains, or reproductive capacity might not be right for your pond.
Check references. Ask to contact some of their satisfied customers. Check out the company with the Better Business Bureau from their state. Finally, if a supplier is not on this list, they were either not permitted to sell fish in Mississippi at the time of publication, or they were unresponsive to requests to update their information.

Your MSU Extension agent, local Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks biologist, or a specialist from the MSU Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture can help you with stocking plans free of charge. Basic stocking recommendations for Mississippi farm ponds are given here for your convenience.

Recommended Fish Species for Mississippi Farm Ponds

The widely recommended combination for sustainable good fishing is largemouth bass, bream (either bluegill alone or a combination of bluegill and redear sunfish), and channel catfish (optional).

In a properly managed pond, largemouth bass and bluegill have consistent reproduction and create a predator-prey balance that can sustain good fishing for years without restocking. Redear sunfish, also known as “shellcrackers,” also reproduce naturally and provide additional fishing opportunities and control of snails that may promote fish parasites.

Channel catfish usually do not reproduce well in ponds with largemouth bass and must be restocked periodically. The replacement catfish should be at least 8 inches long to avoid being eaten by the bass.

Either largemouth bass or Florida bass are appropriate for stocking in Mississippi farm ponds, but it is best not to mix the two.

It does not matter whether you stock regular bluegill or coppernose bluegill.

Under no circumstances should you stock hybrid bream with other species of bream, nor should you stock them when bass fishing is your main objective. Hybrid bream are best suited for very small ponds where they will be fed and harvested.

Triploid grass carp, or “triploid white amur,” should be stocked to help prevent invasion of aquatic weed species. We recommend only triploid grass carp in Mississippi; please request verified triploids.

In new ponds or ponds without weed problems, five grass carp per acre should be enough. If weeds are a problem, you may need 15 or more grass carp per acre. Grass carp eat vegetation, so do not introduce them into ponds where you want plant growth.

Tilapia are not legal in Mississippi. Do not stock tilapia, even if encouraged to do so.

You can introduce fathead minnows and threadfin shad as extra bass food. It is best to stock these fragile species when water temperatures are cool in the fall or spring. Bass will eliminate fathead minnows, so only stocking into new ponds is recommended. Threadfin shad are more persistent, but they may die out in very cold winters in northern Mississippi and will need to be restocked. Stock threadfin shad only when managing for trophy bass, since they may compete with bream.

We do not recommend crappie, other sunfish species (besides those listed above), or other catfish species in ponds. We do not recommend crappie for impoundments less than 50 acres because they tend to overpopulate, resulting in a pond full of stunted fish. They compete with both bass and bream for food and even prey on young sport fish. Verified triploid crappie and hybrid striped bass will not reproduce in ponds and can be used to add variety in fishing ponds, although they may compete with bass and bream for food.

Do not stock any other species of fish without first consulting your MSU Extension agent, local Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks biologist, or a specialist from the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture at Mississippi State University.

In a new or renovated pond, stock sunfish in the fall, along with channel catfish, triploid grass carp, and additional prey species, if desired. The pond does not need to be full when you stock, as long as the pond will fill to full pool by the following spring. Stock fish based on the full pond acreage, not on the surface acreage at the time of stocking. You do not need large fish, since predators are not in the pond at this time.

Stock bass fingerlings the following spring. This way, the bream have had time to produce young bream for the bass to eat. Stock fish only at the recommended rates and ratios listed here. You can begin fishing the pond after 1 year, but do not begin harvesting bream until the second year, and do not begin harvesting bass until the third year. If this stocking schedule cannot be followed, contact your local fisheries biologist or Extension specialist for customized stocking recommendations.

Do not catch and move fish from another water body to stock a pond. A number of serious pond problems can result from this stocking approach:

First, some fish species look very similar and can be easily mistaken. Although spotted bass, longear sunfish, and young gizzard shad look very similar to largemouth bass, redear sunfish, and threadfin shad, they certainly don’t perform the same in farm ponds!
Second, moving fish between water bodies is an easy way to introduce serious diseases and parasites to your pond.
Third, it is very difficult to get the numbers of small fish needed to start the pond off “in balance.” Working with a certified fish supplier ensures that you stock the right numbers and sizes of disease-free fish.

Recommended Stocking Rates and Species Combinations

Table 1 lists stocking recommendations for ponds greater than 1 acre in surface area. For smaller ponds, only hybrid bream and channel catfish ponds are recommended. These two species can be stocked together or alone, but bass are required to control their reproduction, which is not desirable in these small ponds.

Table 1. Recommended stocking rates (per acre) and combinations for unfertilized ponds 1 acre and larger.^a
Stocking Combination	Bass	Bluegill	Redear Sunfish	Channel Catfish	Grass Carp	Hybrid Bream
Bass-bluegill	50^b	500^b		50^b	5^c
Bass-bluegill-redear sunfish	50^b	350^b	150^b	50^b	5^c
Hybrid bream	50^d					750
Channel catfish-hybrid bream	50^d			100		350–500
Channel catfish only	15^d			100–150

^aDouble rates if the pond will be fertilized.

^bOptional. Stock up to 50 channel catfish per acre if desired.

^cRecommended. Stocking five grass carp per acre in weed-free ponds helps prevent future weed problems.

^dBass are to control hybrid bream reproduction. Stock them at the same time as hybrid bream fingerlings, and do not harvest bass.

Because reproduction is suppressed, hybrid bream and catfish ponds must be restocked after harvesting 60 percent of the initial stocking. Larger fish will be required because the bass are established and will eat smaller fingerlings. Stock 8- to 10-inch catfish and 3- to 4-inch hybrid bream when restocking.

In larger ponds initially stocked with bass and bluegill, you may consider adding additional prey species to support bass growth. Fathead minnows are good for initial stocking but will be eliminated by bass and are not recommended for stocking as a prey in established ponds. Threadfin shad is an option for supplemental prey once bass have become established. A minimum stocking rate of 250 threadfin shad per acre is recommended. Restocking may be necessary after a cold winter, which can eliminate threadfin shad.

Transporting and Tempering Fish

Depending on the quantity of fish purchased, many fish suppliers will deliver and stock fish in your pond for a charge. Many pond owners do not purchase enough fish to warrant this expense, and it is more economical for them to transport and stock their own fish.

However, hauling fish is tricky business, and many fish have died due to improper hauling and stocking. Your goal is to release healthy fish that survive, grow, and reproduce in your pond, so follow these recommendations if you plan to haul your own fish.

Poor water quality, overcrowding, and improper tempering can result in large or complete losses of fish. Water quality management during hauling and stocking is critical. It is especially important that you make sure there is adequate dissolved oxygen and low levels of toxic waste products such as ammonia and carbon dioxide. Temperature, pH, fish density, and length of trip affect the severity of these problems. Never haul fish when it is 85°F or more outside, and carry less fish per water volume for longer trips.

When hauling fingerlings to your pond, ask the producer to “bag them.” Many producers supply hauling bags and pure oxygen, and will prepare each bag with clean water, the optimum number of fish, and pure oxygen to fill the bags. Lay the bags down horizontally in a shaded container such as a cooler or cardboard box. Laying them down maximizes the contact between the water surface and the oxygen, which diffuses into the water as needed. Do not leave the bags in direct sunlight as the water will quickly heat up, killing the fish.

Some producers may not supply bags and oxygen, and most will not bag channel catfish because their spines will easily puncture bags. In this case, you should plan to bring large water-tight containers to haul your fish (large coolers work well for small numbers of fish).

When hauling in containers without bagging, provide some form of aeration for hauls longer than 30 minutes. Battery-powered aerators with air stones are an inexpensive means of providing oxygen, but these are not very efficient. Use as many aerators as possible, and carry low fish densities (fewer than 100 2-inch fingerlings per gallon).

Be careful when filling the tanks from a well, as well water is usually low in oxygen and high in carbon dioxide. Aerate thoroughly before adding fish. Do not use municipal water, as it may have chlorine or other chemicals that are toxic to fish.

When you arrive at the pond, it is very important to temper, or adjust, the fish to the new environment. The sudden shock of changing water temperature can stress or kill fish. If your fish are in bags, simply float the bags in the pond for at least 30 minutes, and then check to make sure that the temperatures are similar before releasing them. Float the bags out of direct sunlight if possible.

If your fish were hauled in containers, slowly add pond water to the containers using a bucket or pump. Change about 25 percent of the water volume every 5 to 10 minutes until the temperatures in the tank and receiving waters are similar. It should then be safe to release the fish into the pond.

See Table 2 for a list of sport fish suppliers.

Table 2. Sport fish suppliers.
Hatchery	Email	City/State	Phone	Fish Species
Alabama Fish and Pond, LLC	Alabamafishandpond@gmail.com	Alberta, AL	256-878-4111	LB, HL, BG, CN, RE, CC, FM, GC
American Sport Fish Hatchery	ashley@americansportfish.com	Montgomery, AL	334-281-7703	LB, FL, HL, CN, RE, CC, FM, GC, TS, HS
Aquaculture Solutions of East Mississippi	jsaulcatfish@gmail.com	Macon, MS	662-361-8602	BG, RE, CC, GC, TS
Arkansas Pondstockers	kathy.smith@arkansaspondstockers.com	Harrisburg, AK	870-578-9773	LB, BG, RE, HB, CC, FM, GC
Brewer Fish Farm		Richton, MS	601-989-2466/601-788-4898	CN, RE
Circle C Fish Hatchery		Carriere, MS	601-347-4673/601-795-2329	LB, FL, HL, BG, CN, RE, CC, FM, GC, TS
Covington & Sons	covington_sons@att.net	Daleville, MS	601-681-6243	LB, FL, HL, BG, CN, RE, HB, CC, FM, GC, TS, HS
Fish Wagon, LLC	info@fishwagon.com	Harrisburg, AR	870-578-9501	LB, BG, CN, RE, HB, CC, FM, GC
Glennon Fish Farms, Inc.	office@malonelake.com	Lonoke, AR	501-676-2800	LB, FL, HL, BG, CN, RE, HB, CC, FM, GC, HS
Hardins Fish	Hardinsfish@yahoo.com	Calhoun City, MS	662-628-5328/662-983-8451	LB, FL, HL, BG, CN, RE, CC, FM, GC
Honey Hole Fisheries, LLC	honeyholejeff@gmail.com	Fosters, AL	205-333-3665	LB, FL, HL, BG, CN, RE, FM, GC, TS, HS
Hopper Hatcheries, LLC	fish@hopperhatcheries.com	Lonoke, AR	501-676-2435/501-438-3108	LB, BG, CN, RE, CC, GC
Jones Lake Management	chris@joneslakemanagement.com	Newtown, OH	513-561-2615	LB, BG, RE, HB, CC, FM, GC, HS
Keo Fish Farms	mikefreeze@keofishfarm.com	Keo, AR	501-842-2872/501-590-5127	GC, HS
Lake Master Pros	sales@lakemasterpros.com	Fittstown, OK	800-433-2950	LB, FL, BG, CN, RE, HB, CC, FM, GC
Natural Resource Management	nrmc@comcast.net	Collinsville, MS	601-626-8088	LB, FL, HL, BG, CN, RE, FM, GC, TS
Newalla Fish Company	Brent@newallafishcompany.com	Oklahoma City, OK	405-225-0098	LB, BG, CN, RE, HB, CC, FM, GC, TS, HS
Parker’s Fish Farm	Wendyhparker77@gmail.com	Simpson, LA	337-383-7820/800-362-3390	LB, FL, HL, BG, CN, RE, HB, CC
Professional Fisheries Services	dave@profishservices.com	Ferriday, LA	318-715-4775	LB, FL, HL, BG, CN, RE, HB, CC, FM, GC, TS, HS
Scott Hill Farms	Scottyhill6@yahoo.com	Maben, MS	662-418-6203/662-312-4353	LB, FL, BG, CN, RE, CC, FM, GC, TS, HS
Slade’s Fish Hatchery	sladesfish@yahoo.com	Lumberton, MS	601-299-0754/601-299-1025	LB, FL, HL, BG, CN, RE, HB, CC, FM, GC, TS, HS
Slades Fisheries, LLC	nslade27@gmail.com sladesfisheries@gmail.com	Lumberton, MS	601-299-0754	LB, FL, HL, BG, CN, RE, HB, CC, FM, GC
Small Waters Pond Management	sdgordon217@gmail.com	Pelahatchie, MS	601-624-5390	LB, FL, HL, BG, CN, RE, CC, FM, GC, TS, HS
SOLitude Lake Management	ray.doty@solitudelake.com	Charlottesville, VA	888-480-5253	LB, FL, HL, BG, CN, RE, HB, CC, FM, GC, TS, HS
Southeastern Pond Management	skirk@sepond.com	Canton, MS	601-853-0680	LB, FL, HL, BG, CN, RE, HB, CC, FM, GC, TS, HS
Sport Fish Direct, LLC	info@sportfishdirect.com	Caddo Mills, TX	903-274-8088	LB, FL, HL, BG, CN, RE, HB, CC, FM, GC, HS
Thomas Fisheries		Hattiesburg, MS	601-544-2238/ 601-466-5113	LB, FL, HL, BG, CN, RE, HB, CC, FM, GC, TS
Warmwater Pond Management, Inc.	charliehogue@yahoo.com	Madison, MS	662-418-1382	LB, FL, HL, BG, CN, RE, HB, CC, FM, GC, TS, HS
Wigington Stock Fish	wigingtonstockfish@yahoo.com	Blue Springs, MS	662-401-5532	LB, FL, HL, BG, CN, RE, HB, CC, FM, GC, TS

LB = Largemouth bass; FL = Florida bass; HL = Hybrid largemouth bass; BG = Bluegill; CN = Coppernose bluegill; RE = Redear sunfish; HB = Hybrid bream; CC = Channel catfish; FM = Fathead minnows; GC = Grass carp (white amur); TS = Threadfin shad; HS = Hybrid striped bass

This publication is a joint effort of the Mississippi State University Extension Service and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. To request corrections to the information provided or to have a farm included in the next printing of the list, send the correct information to wes.neal@msstate.edu.

Please note that Mississippi state law prohibits any person from selling or offering for sale or exchange any game fish whether taken within or coming from outside the state. Such sales are legal if MDAC has issued a permit to the owner of a private pond to sell fish grown or cultivated for stocking under the MDAC regulations.

All firms listed in this publication have a current MDAC permit.

The information given here is for educational purposes only. References to commercial products, trade names, or suppliers are made with the understanding that no endorsement is implied and that no discrimination against other products or suppliers is intended.

Publication 2525 (POD-08-25)

Revised by Wes Neal, PhD, Extension/Research Professor, Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture.

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P2525