A Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service webinar from 6-7 p.m. March 15 will cover the basics of fish genetics available to meet pond owners’ fisheries expectations and goals.
Registration is $35. Pay with credit card to receive immediate instructions regarding access to the webinar. Instructions to access the webinar will not be emailed until payment is received.
Upon completion of registration and payment, attendees will receive an email from agriliferegister@tamu.edu that will include a receipt, registration confirmation and instructions for accessing the webinar.
About the webinar
The webinar program will cover the many options of species, strains, and hybrids and genetics that can influence fish output, said Todd Sink, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension aquaculture specialist and director of the AgriLife Extension Aquatic Diagnostics Lab, Bryan-College Station.
“Until the last 20-25 years, stocking options for ponds were largely limited to what the local fish supplier had available,” Sink said. “This meant only local or regional species or strains were available for pond stocking. Today, there are many options of species, strains and hybrids, and the genetics you stock into your pond can influence fishing for decades to come.”
This webinar we will cover which largemouth bass genetics are right for the individual pond owner’s specific fishing goals, the differences in catfish species available for stocking and the benefits of each species. Hybrids, including those of striped bass, sunfish and catfish, will also be discussed.
The program will also cover how and when to use each hybrid and what each hybrid type means for the pond’s fish population. Sink will also discuss crappie species, strains and hybrids as well as different strains of bluegill.
“These are important considerations for pond owners who have expectations for the fish, whether it is numbers or trophy fish,” Sink said. “We want people to avoid stocking decisions that may actually be counter to what their goals are for the pond.”
Save time, money by stocking the right fish
Sink will be joined by Brittany Chesser, AgriLife Extension aquatic vegetation program specialist, Bryan-College Station. Chesser will take questions in an accompanying chat forum. There will be a 30-minute question-and-answer period following the presentation to address specific scenarios for attendees.
“Right now is a good time for pond owners to be planning, whether they are looking to add fish to an existing pond or stock a new pond,” Sink said. “Understanding your options according to your goals can save a lot of time and money when it comes to stocking fish.”
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