38 



Size of Fish 

 In order to avoid producing fish of unsuitable 

 size or large fish at a season when there is no market 

 for them, the fish-culturist should attempt toplan the 

 yield before the pond is stocked. The following points 

 should be considered: 



1. What species of bait fish is in the greatest 

 demand. 



2. What sizes are most desirable? 



3. What volume offish will be needed during each 

 month? 



4. During which months will it be possible to 

 harvest the minnows without undue loss and 

 too great expense? 



5. What facilities are available for holding 

 minnows for long periods? 



6. Will food costs permit holding for extended 

 periods? 



7. Will selective grading be possible periodically 

 through the season? 



It must be understood that in any pond great 

 variations in minnow lengths will occur. Table 7 

 presents data on the size of species of various ages 

 in different localities. 



Table 7. — Size of bait fishes at various ages 



The problem of rearing enough^ fish for use during 

 the first summer is a very real one in northern lati- 

 tudes. Suckers usually are available for bait during 

 July and August, but 25 to 50 percent of the golden 

 shiners in a pond will be too small for sale at the time 

 of fall harvest. The smaller fish should be sorted out 

 and held for growth the second year. Pat-headed and 



