A common misconception among many anglers is that stocking fish is a magic cure for improving fishing in any body of water and that fishing will always improve after stocking. Stocking of hatchery-produced fish can be effective, but only in specific instances. A general opinion in fisheries management is that you can't increase the productivity of a body of water simply by stocking native fish, which already live and reproduce in the habitat naturally. The abundance or standing stock of a particular species of fish in a specific habitat will vary within a limited range and is dependent upon ecological factors. Stocking hatchery-produced fish in waters where there is an existing population of native fishes will not necessarily increase fish abundance or improve fishing.
Stocking can sometimes be counterproductive.
There are circumstances where stocking hatchery-produced fish can benefit anglers. Stocking guidelines of the Fisheries Section are based on years of research and management experience. They are aimed at producing tangible benefits to Alabama anglers. The most obvious example of this situation is a newly constructed or renovated lake or pond. The Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries provides bluegill, redear sunfish, and largemouth bass for ponds.