COOL WATER FISH
YELLOW PERCH Also known as Jumbo Perch. They are a school-running fish and are often fished near the bottom. They feed on small fish, insect life and will feed readily on commercial diets, if trained. Jumbos can reach 12" - 14" in length and 10 - 12 pounds if food is sufficient. They can be stocked with most other species, especially hybrid bluegills, largemouth bass and catfish.
COLD WATER FISH
FANCY GOLDFISH Like Koi, goldfish species are bright and colorful and are often used in water gardens by themselves or mixed with koi. Common goldfish, Comets, Sarassas, Shubunkins and Fantails are some of the many varieties of goldfish. They will readily consume commercial feed pellets as well as grazing on algae and other plants; they thrive in ponds with ample weed cover and will freely spawn in most ponds.
WARM WATER FISH
CHANNEL CATFISH are often thought to be relative to Southern states only, but actually do very well in Michigan, especially in ponds that get warm in the summer months. They do great in 70-85°F waters and feed on minnows, insects and commercial pellets. They can often grow from 4" - 6" fingerlings in springtime to 12" - 14" by fall. They can reach 25 - 30 pounds and are very good eating. They do well when stocked with hybrid bluegills, largemouth bass, walleye and even trout. Catfish will spawn in warm water ponds when spawning habitat is available. Great predators.
LARGEMOUTH BASS One of our best predator fish for controlling the number of small fish in a pond or lake. They put up a real battle when caught by hook and line. They are often stocked with hybrid bluegills, channel catfish, perch and walleye. Care should be taken to stock predator fish before your lake or pond becomes overrun with small or stunted fish, which is a difficult situation to reverse without killing off the entire pond.
BLACK CRAPPIE are a large panfish. They can grow up to 16" long and can weigh five pounds, but they are usually much smaller. Black crappie live in warm ponds, lakes, streams and reservoirs. They are schooling fish, so they like to stay in groups. Spawning occurs in May and June in water three to eight feet deep with a sand or gravel bottom. The first year they will grow two to four inches. The young will eat zooplankton and as they get bigger they move on to larger foods. Adults will eat small fish, insects, crayfish, tadpoles and just about anything else that will fit in their mouths. They feed most during the evenings. They like water with plants and underwater structures. Predators include any larger fish such as bass and catfish.
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