Small scale cage culture involves growing fish in cages placed in ponds or lakes. It has some key advantages over other aquaculture systems like requiring a lower initial investment. A variety of fish species can be grown in cages, including bluegill, yellow perch, trout, bass, carp, tilapia, catfish and bullheads. Proper stocking densities and maintenance of the cages is important to avoid overcrowding and ensure good growth rates of the fish. Harvesting the cages requires care to minimize stress on the fish.

1. Small Scale Cage
Culture

2. Why Cage Culture?
Low initial
investment vs. other
systems
Grow out fish in a
body of water that is
not practical to drain
Spawn bluegills and
yellow perch

3. Why Cage Culture
(Cont.)
Separate broodfish
sexes
Separate sizes and age
classes
Hold fish for sale i.e.
Grass Carp
Grow out small fish that
would be eaten in the
open pond
Feed train fish on pellets

4. Species that can be
cage cultured
Bluegill
Yellow Perch
Largemouth Bass
Rainbow Trout
Brown Trout
Brook Trout

5. Species that can be
cage cultured (Cont.)
Smallmouth Bass
Hybrid Striped Bass
Carp
Tilapia
Channel Catfish
Bullheads

6. Carrying Capacity of
Cages
Novice should keep
densities low
Keep in mind carrying
capacity of pond
Publications show up to
15 lbs. per cubic foot
Personally would never
go above 3 lbs. per
cubic foot

7. Rules of Thumb
Must have cover on cage
Provide shade on up to half
of cage to reduce stress
Feed high quality diet
Overwintering can be
problematic
Large mature fish and fish
not originally grown out in
cages get stressed

8. Maintenance of
Cages
Keep Algae from clogging
cages with push broom and
extendable handle
Replace leaking or damages
floats
Keep bottom of cages at
least 2 feet off the bottom
No swimming around cages
Off season power wash

9. Harvesting Cages
Deeper than width
easier to harvest on
shore
Can use pole and
pulley to winch up
cage for dipping
Do not lift cage
completely out of
water with fish in it!

10. Harvesting Cages
Deeper than width
easier to harvest on
shore
Can use pole and
pulley to winch up
cage for dipping
Do not lift cage
completely out of
water with fish in it!