Grass carp questions

[Tim_T]

my buddy is looking to put some grass carp in his lake to control a problem with moss. Any suggestions? Lake is about 2 acres and I know they have some that do not reproduce. What kind would be good for him to buy? How many would he need for a lake this size? Finally, How much should he expect to pay per fish?

Thanks

[riverrat12]

my buddy is looking to put some grass carp in his lake to control a problem with moss. Any suggestions? Lake is about 2 acres and I know they have some that do not reproduce. What kind would be good for him to buy? How many would he need for a lake this size? Finally, How much should he expect to pay per fish?

Thanks

Ken Jacobs with Whiskers catfish farm makes his rounds to alot of Southern States in Ky. his # is 270-842-2555. I paid $10 apiece for mine 2 years ago and as far as how many, you might give him a call, He's a good guy. And Tim I believe all the grass carp sold now have to be spaded and neutered...lol Chuck

[fishraker]

Grass carp (Triploid carp) are $12-$13 for 8-10 inch fish. You want to get them big enough so that bass don't eat them. Stocking rates depend on the vegetation problem. It's usually 5-15 per acre. If by moss you mean algae, that is not their favorite food. They will cut down on it, but it will take a while. Do a search. You can find out all about them. They get big fast and are hard to catch if you get too many in your pond and want to get rid of some. They eat a lot more when they are young.

[riverrat12]

Tim, Master B's site does offer some good info. I'm kinda leary about shipping and handleing charges...water wieght=$$$$

[JD7.62]

Shipping fish is NO fun. As a part time hobby/supplemental income I buy and sell fish. When I get a box shipped in and its $150 in freight for ONE box it doesnt even shock me any more.

You should be able to buy triploid grass carp locally. Even if you have to drive a few hours it sure would save on shipping. Call up KDWF and they can point you in the right direction.

[mhall]

Don't do it! Almost everytime I've seen grass carp added to a small body of water they really hurt the bass fishery. They silt beds in the spring and destroy the eggs. During the time when bass do their thing is when these fish hit the shallows hard and do their damage. All this is my own opinion and I'm not an expert but I've seen grass carp kill several good ponds in my humble opinion. There are SAFE chemicals now that can be used. Also another alternative some people are doing is adding channel catfish. The water being clear helps to make algae grow do to the sunlight penetrating the shallows to the bottom. Channel catfish will add some turbidity to the water and inhibit the growth of the algae. Is it a cure all, NO, but it helps and it gives you something else to fish for and eat. Remember though you have to add cover for catfish to reproduce in a pond. Just some food for thought, I hate grass carp, just my two cents.