A key component to the health of a largemouth bass is having an abundant bluegill population. Without additional forage species, the bluegill population can quickly be depleted.Stocking additional forage species helps diversify the forage base for bass, which can help build the bluegill population. Here is a list of supplemental forage species that AES recommends:

• Crawfish: Crawfish are typically stocked in May to allow the bass to bulk up before the heat of the summer, where they are prone to losing the most weight.
• Goldfish: Goldfish are slow swimmers, making them an easy meal for a bass.The summer months is the best time to stock this species.
• Golden Shiners: Golden Shiners are typically stocked in 3-4" size, which is typically the size class of bluegill that is the most limited.
• Threadfin Shad: Threadfin Shad are a pelagic fish and are typically best in ponds larger than 4 acres. Threadfins range in size from 2-5" which feeds all size classes of bass.
• Gizzard Shad: Gizzard Shad are similar to threadfins, however they grow much larger in size, averaging 7-11" inches.
• Rainbow Trout: Trout are great wintertime forage species to stock in ponds due to their slender shape. A largemouth bass can eat a much larger trout than a bluegill. Forage trout can be stocked in a variety size classes, ranging from 5-13".

Call AES today to help with your stocking needs.