Hi. Im moving an hour away and i wanted to take some bass from my pond to the new one. I was wondering the best way to handle that. Weather it be a bucket or tank with an aerator. How long the fish can survive in that situation. What kind stress comes with transporting and things like that. Any information would help, thanks! -John

Transporting live bass is illegal in some states, check with your local Fishery resource folks.

The reasons are several; transferring diseases and unwanted predators into another fishery can create problems.

Tom

The only bass I have ever transported were from the lake to the big child pond they had made for the kids to fish at the same place. We stocked it with 3lbers. I figure some little kid is going be our future bass fishermen or fisherwoman. Thell always remember there first catch.

Transporting live bass is illegal in some states, check with your local Fishery resource folks.

The reasons are several; transferring diseases and unwanted predators into another fishery can create problems.

Tom

I agree with Tom. The state I live in will hit you with a heavy fine for transporting any live fish other than minnows. If they catch you transplanting species from lake to lake they can even confiscate the vehicle you were using to do it and sell it at auction. Check with your local fish and game dept to see if it's legal.

First I would contact your local conservation officer and tell him what you are planning to do. He will tell you straight up if it is okay or not. I cant see him saying to not do it as long as you own the pond and it is not connected to any other body of water. 

 

For transporting, I'd say horse troughs in the back of a pick-up would be the best way. Hook up some DC bilge pumps to circulate the water and run them off a car/boat battery in the bed. I'd screw or bolt on plywood lids to keep the water from splashing out and bass from jumping. 

 

Drive fast and don't screw around, right from the pond to the truck to the other pond. Maybe hit up a gas station half way and drop a couple pounds of ice in each one. 

are you planning on catching the bass by lure? until you have a collection of them to transport? are you removing them from a private pond you own to a private pond you own? are you crossing state lines? i mean it could be done but doesnt seem worth it. why not just stock the new pond? whats wrong with the fish currently in there? it just seems you could really stress the fish between moving them and putting them in a different environment. they may survive the trip there, but some may not survive after being introduced to a different environment.

 

everyone is right when they say you need to check your states laws regarding the transplanting of fish. its possible you could ruin two bodies of water(or more if creeks flow through the ponds) trying to improve one....