Selection Species selection and stocking is mostly based on availability and water temperature. Stocking at lower densities the fish will get bigger in a shorter time than when stocking at higher densities. Stocking at densities lower than recommended may result in aggressive behavior. It is also important to stock fish at approximately the same size.
Bigger fish have a tendency to dominate smaller fish.
This will reduce the growth rate of the smaller fish. Handling fish is stressful to the fish. The best time for stocking is when the water temperature is cool. This will lessen stress-related disease and mortality. It is also important to temper the fish to the existing water body temperature.