AbstractThe population dynamics of culture‐based fisheries are studied by means of a mathematical model, which incorporates explicit sub‐models for density‐dependent individual growth and size‐dependent mortality. The model applies to populations of carps, i.e. common carp, Chinese carps, and Indian major carps, and coregonids.The effects on production of stocking density and size of seed fish, fishing mortality, and size at harvesting are studied in a model population of carp. Management implications of the modelling results are emphasized. An adaptive approach to management, involving judicious experimentation with stocking and harvesting regimes, is proposed to gain information on the dynamics of actual fisheries, and to optimize their pro