Fish Planting Stock

RAINBOW TROUT (Oncorhynchus mykiss)   

Aqua Springs offers hardy strains of Rainbow for your stocking purposes. Our strains of rainbows are a product of strong genetic lines from Donaldson, Kamloops and West Coast Steelhead that have been breed for over 50 years. Our stocks will perform with the BEST and will survive in various temperature ranges (up to 72 F) as long as water qualities stay within normal limits of trout.

BROOK TROUT (Salvelinus fontinalis)

An extremely colorful and challenging strain of brook trout, you will find our strain to be an excellent choice for stocking into your favorite brook trout waters. They will do very well in slightly acid water, such as beaver dams, or in deep meandering streams through heavy timber. Not recommended for static ponds or pond temps that exceed 62 F.

BROWN TROUT (Salmo trutta)

A worthy adversary for the most artful fisherman. Brown trout will grow slower than rainbows in their first couple years, but individuals often outgrow other species to become trophy lunkers. Recommended for large streams, rivers and lake systems.

HYBRID BLUEGILL (Lepomis cyanellus X Lepomis macrochirus)

A popular panfish for stocking of lakes and ponds. This hybrid cross produces a high percentage (usually greater than 90%) of males which decreases their reproductive potential. Because of this trait, by periodic restocking the population levels can be maintained at the desired level. This fish really exhibits hybrid vigor (sizes up to 1 3/4 lbs have been reported) and readily accepts commercial feeds. These traits combine to produce a fast growing, hard fighting sport fish which is readily caught on either natural or artificial baits.

LARGEMOUTH BASS (Micropterus salmoides)

One of the most widely used predator fish in lakes and ponds. It has been found to reproduce and grows well in a wide variety of conditions. The largemouth bass utilizes small fish to comprise the majority of its diet. Because of this trait, it has long been stocked in combination with bluegill. The bass and bluegill combination is a popular method in the southern states, but in Michigan, it has proven not to be as good of an option. If the two species are to be raised together, we suggest planting bass the first year and introduce the bluegills in the second year. This will allow the bass to become a better predator and keep the limited production of bluegills in check.

  CHANNEL CATFISH (Ictalurus punctatus)

The channel catfish is considered to be the most desirable catfish to stock into lakes and ponds because of its excellent food and sport fishing value. Reproduction of this fish in lakes and ponds is usually unsuccessful due to lack of spawning structures or heavy predation on small fingerlings. A good supplemental stocking program will ensure a good population of channel catfish with continued harvest ability.

YELLOW PERCH (Perca flavescens)

The popularity of the yellow perch has always been one of the favorite species to fish for in the Great Lakes region. The yellow perch grows well in ponds and lakes. It is not uncommon for this fish to obtain 1 pound size in your lake or pond, but should be planted with other predatory species to control population densities. Highly recommended to plant fathead minnows for a forage fish with this species.

WALLEYE (Stizostedion vitreum)

Walleye are one of the most sought after game species in North America. This fish does best in lakes 50+ acres. Clear, cool water (preferably less that 85 F summer temperatures) and adequate forage fish as food are all necessary for a thriving walleye population. Large areas of gravel or rubble and flow of water are necessary for natural spawning. In many lakes that are lacking necessary spawning areas, walleye populations are maintained by annual stocking of fry or small fingerlings.

FATHEAD MINNOWS (Pimephales promelas)

Fathead minnows (Feeder Minnows) are used as an additional forage species. Although stockings of large quantities of this fish is sometimes practiced as a "feeding" procedure for predaceous fish, the most common practice is stocking prior to the introduction of your fish. By initially stocking fatheads, this very prolific fish will rapidly develop a high population level. The stocking of largemouth bass fingerlings into such a population of minnows will result in a very rapid initial growth.