Are Redear Good for Ponds?

Adding redear sunfish to any pond is a great way to reduce parasites in bass, bluegill, catfish, and other non-game fish such as golden shiners. They are usually stocked in small ponds and lakes because they are specialized feeders and do not compete much with other fish.

Do red ear sunfish reproduce in a pond?

Redear sunfish spawn at cooler temperatures, and males construct nests in water deeper than 3 feet often in colonies on the pond bottom. ... It is recommended to stock 250 Redear fingerlings around 1 to 3 inches long per acre in late summer or early fall.

What do red ear fish eat?

Redear sunfish, sometimes called shellcracker, feed on aquatic insects, snails, small fish and other small aquatic animals. Snails are intermediate hosts of yellow and black grubs. The larvae of these grubs are often found in the fins and in the muscles of largemouth bass and other fish species.