We all know that in a pond or lake environment, forage fish are the most crucial component for healthy game fish. Nothing can grow without food! While your live bait species (Fathead Minnows, Golden Shiners, Coppernose Bluegill, and Redear Sunfish) are the stars of the show, supplemental feeding with pellets is an effective way to enhance the health of fish populations tremendously. But, where do you start?
Quality over quantity applies to fish food options just as much as it does in other aspects of everyday life–good quality feeds are hard to find these days. While many tout pretty packaging and “good deal” pricing, most of your focus should be on the nutrition label. A good quality fish food will have high protein and decent fat content. Feeds that harbor a protein percentage of 32% or higher are a great start. Protein will aid in muscle growth in a fish, and fat gives them the energy to eat more. Couple these two features in an always-available source, and you have healthy bait fish and game fish on their way to Trophy status!
Here at Henneke Hatchery, we carry Triton by Cargill. It is a 36% protein, 6% fat, 3/16” pellet that we feed all of our stock here on the farm. It works great for both us and our customers, and is available for sale at the shop. Another brand that may be more readily available to our out-of-town customers would be Purina Aquamax, which can be found at many feed and supply stores.
Consistency in supplemental feeding is also an important aspect that many people end up overlooking. To get the most out of it, you are going to want to feed pellets on a very regular schedule. Most people find the best way to make sure this practice doesn’t get swept under the rug is to install an automatic feeder. Automatic fish feeders are directional, and many are customizable in their throwing capacity. Easy to install and set up feedings, these are a great option, especially for pond owners that do not live on the property. But, taking a trip down to the pond with a bucket full of fish pellets is a timeless family tradition to most people, and works just as well if consistent.
I know what you’re thinking–sure, supplemental feeding with pellets sounds great and all, but is it truly necessary? The short answer is no. However, if you are looking to get the most out of your pond or lake and maximize your fish production, it is a very valuable practice! Perhaps the best way to comprehend just how beneficial it is would be to explore the idea of feed conversion rates. Feed conversion rates, in a nutshell, are measures of how well a fish can convert food to body mass. For example, Hybrid Catfish have an exceptional feed conversion rate, to the point where they can consume one pound of feed/bait and gain almost a whole pound in growth. Largemouth Bass are on the other end of the spectrum, as they take 10 pounds of feed/bait to gain one pound of growth. Any supplemental protein intake makes sure those target weights are reached as easily as possible.
The goal in any pond or lake fishery is to maximize growth without sacrificing effort or finances–getting the most bang for your buck. While not a requirement, consistent supplemental feeding with a good quality pellet will do wonders for fish growth, and results can be observed extremely quickly. So, grab the bucket of pellets and the family and see for yourself!
Author: Jordan Moore