Game Fish Stocking

Live Game-Fish for Stocking

Spring 2024 Stocking Season has drawn to a close due to the early arrival of HOT Summer Temperatures. We are now taking orders for FALL 2024.

To place live fish orders please contact us at (877) 389-2514 or fill out a form by clicking the button below.

Live Fish are available to our Michigan Customers Only

Hybrid Sunfish (Bluegill)

Hybrid Sunfish, often called Hybrid Bluegill, are a cross between a female Green Sunfish and a male Bluegill. This cross results in a very high percentage of male fish, reducing the reproductive potential of the population. This results in greater growth rates and reduces the opportunity for over-population. These fish are strong feeders, so a robust forage base is necessary. Hybrid Sunfish are generally stocked at a rate of 500 per surface acre. We recommend stocking some Largemouth Bass along with your Hybrid Sunfish to control any future reproduction and avoid over-population and stunting.

Regular Bluegill

“Regular” Bluegill are a species native to Michigan and much of the U.S. These fish make an excellent forage base for Largemouth Bass, as well as being a great sport fish and table fare in their own right. Care must be taken to ensure a robust predator population to keep Bluegill in balance and avoid stunting. Stock 100-200 per surface acre, with Largemouth Bass.

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass are one of the most sought after of gamefish. Largemouth are also well suited to most ponds and lakes in the Great Lakes region. Largemouth are tremendous predators and require large amounts of forage to thrive, therefore they are often used to control bluegill populations. We generally recommend 100 bass per surface acre in ponds with regular bluegill and 75 per acre in Hybrid Sunfish ponds. Largemouth will reproduce in most ponds but require other predators (like bluegill) to regulate the bass population properly and avoid overpopulation and stunting. Stocking fathead minnows also provides an excellent forage base for bass.

Channel Catfish

Channel Catfish are omnivores that can add some variety to your pond. Prized as a sport fish and table fare in many areas of the country, the channel cat can be a welcome addition to your pond. Because they tend to stir up the bottom of the pond, we recommend stocking 50-100 per surface acre to maintain water clarity. If your goal is a catfish pond, stock fertile water with up to 200 per surface acre. Please note that channel catfish DO NOT “clean up” pond bottoms. Their feeding habits lead them to stir around in bottom sediments, but they do not clean the bottom.

Yellow Perch

Yellow Perch are a popular choice for lakes and ponds because of their outstanding table performance. Care must be taken when stocking perch as they tend to over-populate and stunt easily. They are best suited to large lakes with predators like walleye or to “perch ponds” that are managed fairly intensively to maintain a healthy population level. Generally stocking 100-200 per surface acre is acceptable. Yellow perch are active predators, so stocking fathead minnows with perch is recommended.

Fathead Minnows

Fathead Minnows are an economical forage species to add to almost any pond or lake. These small forage fish spawn prolifically, ususally reproducing several times during the summer if conditions are right. Placing any type of woody structure in shallow water will improve their spawning success. Generally stocking 24-40 pounds per surface acre will establish a population, stock up to 100 pounds per acre if you have a large number of bass, or other established predator population.

Black Crappie (Fall Season Only)

Black Crappie are a large member of the sunfish family. Like others in this family, they are prolific spawners if they have the correct conditions. The must be balanced with a robust population of larger predators such as bass and catfish. Generally recommended for stocking in larger ponds and lakes at about 100-200 per surface acre. Minimum order of 100, advance order and deposit required on Crappie Orders. Seasonal Availability.

Walleye (Fall Season Only)

Walleye are a popular game fish that is native in Michigan. Walleye are best suited to large, deep bodies of water that remain fairly cool. They are voracious predators and require a very robust forage base of fathead minnows, bass, perch, and bluegills to thrive. Walleye stocking densities must be quite light, not more than 25 per surface acre. Well-aerated ponds may be able to hold walleye, but forage may be difficult to maintain in small waters. Minimum order of 100, advance order and deposite required on walleye orders. Seasonal availability.

Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass require cool water a prefer rocky substrates to thrive, therefore they are not well suited for small ponds. Large, deep bodies of water are the best for Smallies. Smallmouth do not usually compete well for food with Largemouth Bass. If no Largemouth Bass are present in the pond, we recommend stocking 100 Bass per surface acre. Smallmouth availability is limited, advance orders are requested.

Prices do not include delivery. Fish delivery is available.

ROUTE DELIVERY pricing is available at a considerable discount. See Route Delivery Pricing Below.

CUSTOM DELIVERY is available at $4.39 per loaded mile and is subject to scheduling; $85 minimum delivery charge. Minimum fish order for custom delivery; $500

CUSTOMER PICK-UPS are by appointment only (Monday – Friday 8am-5pm, Saturday 9am-Noon). Oxygen Bags are available for $2.00. Bring an empty five gallon bucket for every oxygen bag needed.

COMPLIMENTARY “LOANER” live-hauling systems available, call for scheduling. Tank is 3 feet high- 5 feet long and 2 1/2 feet wide.

Fish Sizes and prices are subject to change and availability.

Stocking of Michigan Public Waters will require a permit from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and is the responsibility of the customer. Some Private Ponds with a permanent inflow or outflow also require a permit. Determination of the necessity of a permit and obtaining a permit are the responsibility of the customer. Click here to download the Permit application from the MDNR You will need Adobe Reader to open the application. Click here to download Adobe Reader for free (if you don’t already have it)

Route Delivery Pricing

To qualify for route delivery rates, you must be able to receive delivery on a date and time set by Harrietta Hills. We will attempt to accommodate your schedule to the extent possible.

Due to volatility in fuel prices, a fuel surcharge may apply, please inquire when ordering.

To place live fish orders please contact us at (877) 389-2514 or fill out a form by clicking the button below.