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36 • Nebraska Game and Parks Commission � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � Small Fishing Ponds Channel catfish are recommended for smaller ponds with adequate depth, particularly those less than one-half acre in size where it would be difficult to maintain balanced populations of bass and bluegills if angler harvest is high. Stocking only catfish is also recommended in muddy ponds since dirty water (clarity less than 12 inches) would hinder sight-feeding fish like bass and bluegill. Catfish can be stocked at an initial rate of 200 to 300 fish per acre with 4- to 6-inch fingerlings or 100 fish per acre with 8- to 12-inch sub-adults. Catfish can then be artificially fed to maximize growth and harvest. If the pond is already muddy and no feeding program will be used, the initial stocking densities should be cut in half. If no reproduction occurs, catfish will have to be periodically stocked to compensate for harvest. They should be maintained at a density up to 100 fish per acre, 200 or more if supplemental feeding is provided, depending on the size of catfish present. Maintain a record of catfish harvest. Restock 8- to 10-inch catfish during the spring or fall when cooler water temperatures are less stressful. Again, the number stocked should equal the harvest plus an additional 10 percent to compensate for natural mortality. Fathead minnows can be stocked with catfish to provide additional food and a source of bait. Another option for smaller ponds would be wipers, (striped bass x white bass hybrid), provided a feeding program will be used. Wipers can be initially stocked as 2- to 4-inch fingerlings at 100 per surface acre of water. Depending on the amount of harvest and natural mortality, supplemental stockings of 20 to 30 6- to 8-inch fish per acre will be needed every 2 to 3 years. Wipers, particularly those weighing more than 5 pounds, may not survive when water temperatures remain warmer than 85 degrees for extended periods, or when dissolved oxygen levels drop below 4 parts per million. Feeding should be discontinued until these conditions improve. Wipers larger than 5 pounds can be produced, provided adequate deep water and moderate levels of submerged vegetation are available, and high dissolved oxygen levels can be maintained. Aeration may be necessary to maintain oxygen levels. Wipers can also co-exist in ponds with largemouth bass and bluegills. Sources of Fish for Stocking The Commission will provide largemouth bass, bluegill, and possibly trout, for stocking new, privately-owned ponds or those where the Commission has recently authorized the existing fish population to be chemically removed. To be eligible for fish, private ponds must be one-half surface acre or larger in size. One-fourth of the pond must be at least 10 feet deep. There may be exceptions for spring fed ponds, natural lakes, and others at the discretion of the inspecting biologist. No other fish should be present at the time of stocking, with the exception of recently stocked channel catfish. Ponds must have a minimum water clarity of 12 inches. Fencing to exclude livestock will be required under most circumstances. Although owners of state-stocked waters are not obligated to allow unlimited public fishing access, they cannot charge anglers a fee to fish and are urged to grant access to anglers who ask permission to fish. A valid Nebraska fishing permit is required of every person 16 years of age and older who fishes these ponds, and all anglers must comply with current state fishing regulations. All applications for fish must be returned by August 1 to be considered for stocking during that calendar year. If a pond has multiple landowners, all landowners must concur with Ponds containing only catfish should not contain any structure that would facilitate spawning; otherwise, an overpopulation of small slow-growing catfish is likely and would worsen turbidity, due to their bottom feeding nature.