lakemasters.com - Fish Stocking of Triploid Grass Carp and Game Fish

Fish Stocking of Triploid Grass Carp and Game Fish

An important link in a thriving, well maintained aquatic ecosystem is a diverse fish population. Working in tandem with the State Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, LakeMasters can assist you in analyzing, recommending and permitting for the introduction to Triploid Grass Carp into your waterways. Triploid Grass Carp and your customized maintenance program are designed to work together to control hydrilla and other floating and submersed weeds. We can also provide game fish for your recreational waterways.

Will Triploid Grass Carp Work for You?

Before deciding to stock grass carp, it's important to identify the vegetation you want to control. Grass carp have definite food preferences. Pondweed, and hydrilla are preferred foods. Grass carp are not effective for control of bulrush, filamentous algae (pond scum or moss), water primrose or cattails. If you're not sure what's growing in your pond, call your LakeMasters representative and we’ll provide you with a FREE survey.

Triploid grass carp are inexpensive compared to most other aquatic vegetation control methods. Keep in mind, however, that the types of plants these fish prefer may also be important for sportfish habitat and waterfowl food. Aquatic vegetation can be important in maintaining good fish communities and providing food for other wildlife species. Stocking grass carp may also result in alga blooms and reduced water clarity.

TRIPLOID GRASS CARP:

are sterile and will not reproduce.
are only distantly related to the undesirable European carp, and share few of its habits.
feed only on plants, not on fish eggs or young fishes.
feed from the top of the plant downward; however, where all submersed vegetation has been eliminated, the water can become turbid as hungry fish eat the organic material out of the sediments.
go dormant during the winter and resume intensive feeding when water temperatures reach 68°F.
live for at least 10 years.
grow rapidly and may exceed 60 pounds.
are difficult to catch with conventional fishing methods.

TILAPIA

Tilapia are tropical fish that control certain aquatic vegetation. Two species of tilapia are recommended for aquatic weed control.

Blue tilapia feed entirely on algae (both planktonic and filamentous) but do not readily consume submerged vascular plants. Redbelly tilapia feed primarily on submerged vascular plants rather than algae, but most pond managers prefer triploid grass carp for control since grass carp offer multiple year control and are easier to manage. Tilapia do reproduce and their offspring also assist in the control of aquatic plants.