---
title: Stocking Your Fishery with Shad to Support a Stronger Predator Population
description: Generally speaking, Shad are a great forage species for Largemouth Bass, but they aren't ideal for every fishery.
image: https://blog.pondking.com/hubfs/Shad-in-hand.jpeg
---
[ ](https://pondking.com/)
- [Pontoon Boats](https://pondking.com/collections/pontoon-boats)
- [One-Man Boats](https://pondking.com/collections/one-man-boats)
- [Rebel Modular Mini Pontoon Boat](https://pondking.com/products/rebel-modular-mini-pontoon-boat)
- [Ultraskiff by Pond King](https://pondking.com/pages/ultraskiff-by-pond-king)
- [Mini Pontoon Boats](https://pondking.com/collections/mini-pontoon-boats)
- [Mini Pontoon Float System](https://pondking.com/products/diy-mini-pontoon-boat-kit)
- [Patriot 2-Man Pontoon Boat](https://pondking.com/products/patriot-mini-two-man-fishing-pontoon-boat)
- [Pond King Champ](https://pondking.com/products/pond-king-champ)
- [Small Pontoon Boats](https://pondking.com/collections/small-pontoon-boats)
- [Pond King Sport](https://pondking.com/products/pond-king-sport)
- [Pond King Pro](https://pondking.com/products/pond-king-pro)
- [Pond King Ultra](https://pondking.com/products/pond-king-ultra)
- [Pond King Elite](https://pondking.com/products/pond-king-elite)
- Tools
- [Custom Boat Builder](https://pondking.com/pages/build-your-custom-boat)
- [Boat Recommendation Tool](https://pondking.com/pages/boat-recommendation)
- [Recently Built Boats](https://pondking.com/pages/recent-builds)
- [Floating Docks](https://pondking.com/collections/floating-docks)
- Aluminum Docks
- [Floating Docks Kits](https://pondking.com/products/floating-dock-kits)
- [Aluminum-framed Docks](https://pondking.com/products/aluminum-framed-floating-dock)
- Steel Docks
- [Standard Steel-framed Docks](https://pondking.com/products/steel-framed-floating-docks)
- [Deluxe Steel-framed Docks](https://pondking.com/products/deluxe-steel-framed-floating-docks)
- [Pond Management](https://pondking.com/collections/pond-management)
- [Artificial Habitat](https://pondking.com/collections/fish-habitat)
- [Honey Hole Spawning Discs](https://pondking.com/products/honey-hole-spawning-discs)
- [Honey Hole Nursery](https://pondking.com/products/honey-hole-nursery)
- [Honey Hole Mega Nursery](https://pondking.com/products/honey-hole-mega-nursery)
- [Honey Hole Grass Bed](https://pondking.com/products/honey-hole-grass-bed)
- [Honey Hole Reeds](https://pondking.com/products/honey-hole-reeds)
- [Honey Hole Shrub](https://pondking.com/products/honey-hole-shrub)
- [Honey Hole Tree](https://pondking.com/products/honey-hole-tree)
- [Artificial Habitat](https://pondking.com/collections/fish-habitat)
- [Honey Hole Brush](https://pondking.com/products/honey-hole-brush)
- [Honey Hole Tower](https://pondking.com/products/honey-hole-tower)
- [Honey Hole Dock Dropper](https://pondking.com/products/honey-hole-dock-dropper)
- [Honey Hole Value Packs](https://pondking.com/products/honey-hole-value-packs)
- [Aerators & Fountains](https://pondking.com/collections/aerators-fountains)
- [Surface Aerators](https://pondking.com/products/surface-aerators)
- [Bottom Aerators](https://pondking.com/products/bottom-aerators)
- [Decorative Fountains](https://pondking.com/products/decorative-fountains)
- [Aerating Fountains](https://pondking.com/products/aerating-fountains)
- [Light Kits](https://pondking.com/products/light-kits)
- [Pond Maintenance](https://pondking.com/collections/fish-feeders)
- [Floating Fish Feeder](https://pondking.com/collections/fish-feeders/products/mounted-fish-feeder)
- [Mounted Fish Feeder](https://pondking.com/collections/fish-feeders/products/mounted-fish-feeder)
- [Texas Avenger Fish Feeder](https://pondking.com/collections/fish-feeders/products/texas-avenger-fish-feeder)
- [Turtle Trap](https://pondking.com/products/turtle-trap)
- [Pond Treatment Products](https://pondking.com/pages/pond-treatment-products)
- [Hunting Products](https://pondking.com/collections/hunting)
- [Duck Blinds](https://pondking.com/collections/duck-blinds)
- [Pond King Skid Blind](https://pondking.com/collections/duck-blinds/products/pond-king-skid-blind)
- [Pond King Duck Blind](https://pondking.com/collections/duck-blinds/products/pond-king-duck-blind)
- [Pond King Champ with Duck Blind](https://pondking.com/collections/duck-blinds/products/pond-king-champ-with-duck-blind)
- [Pond King Duck Buster](https://pondking.com/collections/duck-blinds/products/pond-king-duck-buster)
- [Deer Blinds](https://pondking.com/collections/deer-blinds)
- [MB Ranch King Little Buck](https://pondking.com/collections/deer-blinds/products/mb-ranch-king-little-buck-blinds)
- [MB Ranch King Economy Blinds](https://pondking.com/collections/deer-blinds/products/mb-ranch-king-economy-blinds)
- [MB Ranch King Insulated Blinds](https://pondking.com/collections/deer-blinds/products/mb-ranch-king-insulated-hunting-blinds)
- [Deer Feeders](https://pondking.com/collections/deer-feeders)
- [Ranch King Mighty Buck Corn Feeder](https://pondking.com/collections/deer-feeders/products/ranch-king-mighty-buck-corn-feeder)
- [HB EZ Reach Corn Feeders](https://pondking.com/collections/deer-feeders/products/ez-reach-corn-feeders)
- [HB Time Release Feeders](https://pondking.com/collections/deer-feeders/products/time-release-feeders)
- [HB Gravity Protein Feeders](https://pondking.com/collections/deer-feeders/products/4-tube-gravity-protein-feeders)
- Services
- [Pond Management](https://pondking.com/pages/why-have-a-plan)
- [New Servicing in College Station Area](https://pondking.com/pages/college-station)
- [Pond Management Planning Guide](https://help.pondking.com/information/pond-management-planning-guide/)
- [Pond Management Plans](https://pondking.com/pages/pond-management-plans)
- [Electrofishing Surveys](https://pondking.com/pages/electrofishing-services)
- [Habitat Enhancement](https://pondking.com/pages/habitat)
- [Aquatic Plants](https://pondking.com/pages/aquatic-plants)
- [Vegetation Control](https://pondking.com/pages/vegetation-control)
- [Habitat Installation](https://pondking.com/pages/habitat-installation)
- [Fish Stocking](https://pondking.com/pages/fish-populations)
- [Fish Stocking Guide](https://pondking.com/pages/fish-stocking-plans)
- [Freshwater Fish Pricing](https://pondking.com/pages/freshwater-fish-pricing)
- [Order Fish for Pickup](https://pondking.com/collections/fish-pickup-order)
- [Pond Size Calculator](https://pondking.com/pages/pond-size-calculator)
- [DIY Pond Management App](https://pondking.com/pages/diy-pond-app)
- [Blog](https://blog.pondking.com)
- About Us
- The Team
- [Our Story](https://pondking.com/pages/about-pond-king)
- [Meet the Team](https://pondking.com/pages/meet-the-team)
- [Join the Team](https://pondking.com/pages/join-the-team)
- Shopping with Pond King
- [Membership Program](https://pondking.com/pages/pond-king-membership)
- [Military Discounts](https://help.pondking.com/information/policy/military-discount)
- [Help Center](https://help.pondking.com/)
- [Shipping FAQs](https://help.pondking.com/tag/shipping-delivery?nested=information)
- [Payment and Warranty Information](https://help.pondking.com/tag/policy?nested=information)
- [Contact Us](https://pondking.com/pages/contact)
[Account](https://pondking.com/account) [Search](https://pondking.com/search) [Cart](https://pondking.com/cart)
\<
read
# Stocking a Fishery with Shad
By Pond King
Generally speaking, Shad are a great forage species for Largemouth Bass, but they aren't ideal for every fishery.
## **Should You Stock Your Fishery with Shad?**
As with so many things related to pond management, the answer to that question is *it depends. *
Before we can give you a better answer to that question, there are several factors we need to know and consider.
Factors such as the size of your pond, its clarity level, the availability of habitat in the top 5 feet of the water column, what other species are in the pond, and how big are those other fish.
Then we can help you decide if you should stock Shad, and, if so, which species; Gizzard or Threadfin. Each has its benefits and should be appropriately stocked in order for your pond to truly benefit!
## What's the Ideal Pond Size for Shad?
While there isn't a hard and fast rule about how big your fishery has to be, in most circumstances, we find it is hard to establish a sustainable broodstock of Shad in a body of water smaller than 5 acres and that typically they do better in a much larger body of water.
Shad are pelagic, meaning they school in open water, prolific consumers of phytoplankton (microscopic one-cell plants) and zooplankton (microscopic animals), and highly fecund.
### Drawbacks for Shad in Small Ponds
Despite their small size (the average adult Threadfin will only reach 5 inches), in smaller ponds, they can create excessive competition for resources with juvenile game fish and adult bait fish - like Bluegill.
## Is Your Pond Too Clear for Shad?
Because Shad are pelagic, they spend most of their time schooling in the top five feet of the water column. If your pond is too clear, they are exposed to threats from predation.
Additionally, since Shad are filter feeders it is important to maintain a healthy plankton bloom throughout the growing season to support and sustain a threadfin shad population.
### Do You Have the Right Habitat for Shad?
Threadfin and Gizzard Shad spend their time in open water.
In fact, it is their offshore schooling that creates such an exciting topwater fishing experience. Bass typically lie in wait for their prey, which they generally hunt as individuals. However, the schooling behavior of Shad causes the Bass to modify their feeding habits, consuming several of the small forage fish with each bite.
Without sufficient habitat, such as the [Honey Hole Tree](https://pondking.com/products/honey-hole-tree), stocking Shad supplementally to your fishery might be a great way to add variety for your Bass, but you'll have a hard time establishing a broodstock.
## Currently StockedFish Species and Size
Understanding the established fish population in your fishery is another key component in deciding to stock Shad or not.
As we've already discussed, because of their prolific nature, Shad can create competition for resources with juvenile game fish and adult bait fish. You need to have the right ratio of prey to predator to insure the Shad don't impede the recruitment of juvenile bass to your trophy-class population.
Understanding the overall health of your Bass population will help determine if you have too many, or too few Bass to justify the supplemental stocking of Shad.
Additionally, unless you have a significant population of big bass, we almost never recommend stocking Gizzard Shad. They can grow to 8 inches, making them just too big for the "average" largemouth, causing even more competition for resources with your broodstock Bluegill.
## The Issues with Stocking Shad
In a lot of ways, Threadfin Shad are the [perfect forage fish](https://blog.pondking.com/stocking-strategies-for-different-fisheries-management-goals) if you're trying to raise trophy-class bass. Even as adults, Threadfins are the ideal size for most Bass. They are prolific breeders and their schooling nature creates great excellent opportunities for fattening your Bass and for fishing.
But, there are a few issues associated with stocking Shad.
1. First, they are more delicate than the other forage species you could stock and they don't always do well with transportation.
2. Second, they are temperature sensitive, and, depending on the depth of your pond and the available habitat, they may not winter well.
3. Third, it isn't hard to mistake juvenile Gizzard Shad for Threadfin so you could very easily end up with the wrong species.
While there isn't much you can do about the sensitivity to temperature, you can mitigate the other issues by only getting your Shad from a very reputable supplier. But because these fish are challenging to stock, there are usually minimum order requirements and short delivery notice for these fish.
## Pond King Can Help You with Your Pond’s Forage Base Management
If you have any questions on stocking your pond or the fish we have available, stop by and see us at our office in Gainesville, Texas or [contact us](https://pondking.com/pages/contact) today. Our fisheries biologists are ready to serve you!
See y'all down at the pond.
Tags: [Fish and Fishing](https://blog.pondking.com/tag/fish-and-fishing), [Pond Management](https://blog.pondking.com/tag/pond-management)
### Related Articles
## [Building Fisheries, Family Traditions, and the Future of Pond King](https://blog.pondking.com/building-fisheries-family-traditions-and-the-future-of-pond-king)
Topics: [Fish and Fishing](https://blog.pondking.com/tag/fish-and-fishing), [Pond Management](https://blog.pondking.com/tag/pond-management)
## [The Best Fish Feeders for Ponds and Lakes](https://blog.pondking.com/fish-feeders-for-ponds-and-lakes)
Topics: [Fish and Fishing](https://blog.pondking.com/tag/fish-and-fishing), [Pond Management](https://blog.pondking.com/tag/pond-management)
## [Seasonality of Fish Stocking](https://blog.pondking.com/seasonality-of-fish-stocking)
Topics: [Fish and Fishing](https://blog.pondking.com/tag/fish-and-fishing), [Pond Management](https://blog.pondking.com/tag/pond-management)
### Subscribe to The Chronicles of Marketing Newsletter
## Download our Catalog
Pond King's products are built with expert craftsmanship and the highest quality materials. Download our catalog to look at our latest products.
###### Boats
- [One-Man Boats](https://pondking.com/collections/one-man-boats)
- [Mini Pontoon Boats](https://pondking.com/collections/mini-pontoon-boats)
- [Small Pontoon Boats](https://pondking.com/collections/small-pontoon-boats-2022)
- [Boat Recommendation Tool](https://pondking.com/pages/boat-recommendation)
###### More Products
- [Floating Docks](https://pondking.com/collections/floating-docks)
- [Artificial Habitat](https://pondking.com/collections/fish-habitat)
- [Aerators & Fountains](https://pondking.com/collections/aerators-fountains)
- [Fish Feeders](https://pondking.com/collections/fish-feeders)
- [Hunting Products](https://pondking.com/collections/hunting)
###### About
- [Our Story](https://pondking.com/pages/about-pond-king)
- [Blog](https://blog.pondking.com/)
- [Membership & Rewards](https://pondking.com/pages/pond-king-membership)
- [Military Discount](https://help.pondking.com/information/policy/military-discount)
- [Shipping Policies](https://help.pondking.com/tag/shipping-delivery?nested=information)
- [FAQs](https://pondking.com/pages/faqs)
###### Services
- [Pond Management Plans](https://pondking.com/pages/pond-management-plans)
- [Fish Stocking](https://pondking.com/pages/fish-populations)
- [Habitat Enhancement](https://pondking.com/pages/habitat)
- [DIY Pond Management App](https://pondking.com/pages/diy-pond-app)
5924 West US Highway 82, Gainesville, Texas, 76240-1790 | [940-340-5914](tel:940-340-5914) | [marketing@pondking.com](mailto:marketing@pondking.com)
- [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/pondkinginc)
- [Pinterest](https://www.pinterest.com/pondkinginc/)
- [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/pondkinginc/)
- [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/c/Pondking)
Copyright 2026. [Refund policy](https://pondking.com/policies/refund-policy) | [Privacy policy](https://pondking.com/policies/privacy-policy) | [Terms of service](https://pondking.com/policies/terms-of-service) | [Shipping policy](https://help.pondking.com/tag/shipping-delivery?nested=information)
### Sign Up for Updates
```json
{
"@context" : "https://schema.org",
"@type" : "BlogPosting",
"author" : {
"@type" : "Person",
"name" : "Pond King",
"url" : "https://blog.pondking.com/author/pond-king"
},
"dateModified" : "2025-11-19T15:56:36.331Z",
"datePublished" : "2024-08-31T14:00:00.000Z",
"headline" : "Stocking Your Fishery with Shad to Support a Stronger Predator Population",
"image" : [ "https://blog.pondking.com/hubfs/Shad-in-hand.jpeg" ],
"mainEntityOfPage" : {
"@id" : "https://blog.pondking.com/stocking-a-fishery-with-shad",
"@type" : "WebPage"
},
"publisher" : {
"@type" : "Organization",
"logo" : {
"@type" : "ImageObject",
"url" : "https://blog.pondking.com/hubfs/pklogomark_blue.png"
},
"name" : "Pond King, Inc."
}
}
```