A 10.3-hectare impoundment at Auburn, Alabama, was stocked with bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), redear sunfish (Lepomis microlophus), largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus), and fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) at densities of 1,852, 617, 247, 247, and 2,470 per hectare, respectively, during December, 1965 to June, 1966. When the impoundment was opened to public fishing in May 1967, half the shoreline and 90% of the impounded area were closed to fishermen. Compared with typical non-sanctuary ponds under similar fishing pressures, the initial catch rates of bass and sunfish were lower in the sanctuary pond. The presence of the sanctuary did not reduce the total catch per hectare, but the catch was spread over a longer fishing season.