GOLDEN SHINER 



raised in ponds that are too fertile 

 for suckers, because the golden 

 shiner can stand more adverse con- 

 ditions. It is also desirable because 

 most of the fertile ponds contain 

 masses of filamentous algae which 

 provide plenty of places where the 

 shiners can deposit their eggs. The 

 best natural pond for the propaga- 

 tion of golden shiners is 2 to 3 acres 

 in size and 4 to 5 feet deep. The 

 pond must be free of fatheads or 

 the spawning success of the shiners 

 will be poor. 



Stocking the ponds 



Golden-shiner breeders should be 

 at least 1 -year-old fish, ranging in 

 size from 31^ to 8 inches in length. 

 About 50 percent of the brood stock 

 should be less than 5i/^ inches in 

 length ; or otherwise, the total stock 

 wnll be predominantly females, 

 since the males are consistently the 

 smaller. The stocking rate in large 

 ponds, where the fry will remain 

 with the adults (extensive culture) 

 should range from 2,000 to 3,000 fish 



ItJk. 



Figure 42. — A productive golden-shiner pond in Minnesota. 



97 



