Many fishery owners and angling clubs purchase large amounts of stock fish, some even have a regular budget for additional fish and this is becoming an increasing trend. The main aim of running/owning a fishery is to provide a service so that anglers can visit your venue and pay to catch fish, however it is far more important and cost effective to maintain your own stock which in the long term will be in better condition and provide additional income from selling on surplus offspring. Why spend thousands on fish when you can generate more than you require with a little common sense and knowledge.

Introducing cheap stock from a variety of sources only increases the chances of a problem arising, of course in some cases additional fish are required, introducing new species, restocking after a fish kill, or when creating a new venue it is important to buy fish, but the right sizes and species are often overlooked and the price and availability seems to takeover.

Any size and amount can be achieved, usually using existing stock and it does not need to take an age, basic fishery management methods are often overlooked and the “quick fix” approach is applied. This may work in the short term but had the people responsible taken simple steps to maintain and improve existing stocks this would not be necessary.In the past I have seen many fisheries ruined by rash decisions and unnecessary stocking, and believe people should be aware that this is not the way forward.

Match fisheries, Carp lakes, Pleasure fisheries can all be developed and maintained to a high standard and forward thinking and learning of the consequences of your actions will result in far more consistent sport in future. (Pictured left, two young pure crucian carp)

The less desirable venues which are always cropping up in which the owner has overloaded the lake with fish in one go, and opened up as a day ticket venue will always prove popular, but usually only fish well for a short period due to the lack of basic management of the stock and this leads to all sorts of problems.
When purchasing any fish it should be seen as an investment for the future, something to build on and maintain, not just a yearly job to boost catches for a short while.

Whilst in a position to supply coarse fish to fisheries and angling clubs, I feel it is important to first discuss what they are trying to achieve long term, and advise of ways to benefit existing stock, which, in many cases makes the purchase of additional fish unnecessary. With the money saved, angling clubs could fund new waters and stock them, instead of wasting thousands on their existing venues.
By improving your awareness of all aspects of fisheries management, you will gain a broader understanding of what is required and realise that there is more to running a fishery than simply buying lots of fish.