Another way to limit overpopulation is to stop reproduction. Other fish that can be stocked in small ponds include blue catfish, hybrid bluegill, threadfin shad, golden shiners, fathead minnows, and rainbow trout. Before stocking these species, talk with a fisheries biologist. Blue catfish can be stocked instead of channel catfish. They grow larger and are better predators than channel catfish, but they will compete with bass.
Hybrid bluegill have a large mouth and train readily to commercial fish feed.
They will grow rapidly if fed commercial fish feeds and are excellent for angling. Hybrid bluegill, however, are not sterile as is sometimes claimed. Most are males but if females are present they will reproduce. Every 3 to 4 years the pond will need to be drained and restocked. Golden shiners, fathead minnows, and threadfin shad can be stocked for forage.