Zooplankton production and survival of striped bass fry (Morone saxatilis) were examined in ponds treated either with organic fertilizer (in 1980) or with a combination of organic and liquid inorganic fertilizers and inoculated with Daphnia pulex (in 1981). In 1980, there were significant differences in water quality variables and chlorophyll α levels among treatments in three series of three ponds fertilized only with different amounts of ground hay. Production of crustacean zooplankton was low, and rotifer populations increased as the number of crustaceans was reduced by predation. Electron transport system (ETS) activity was low in all treatments. Survival of striped bass differed greatly within and between treatments, ranging from 1 to 64% and averaging 17%. In 1981, water quality variation was less among treatments in four series of three ponds inoculated with Daphnia and fertilized either with chicken litter-chicken manure in combination with liquid ammonium nitrate and phosphoric acid, or with ground hay. Rotifer species were less abundant and numbers of crustacean zooplankton, total protein, and ETS activity were higher than in 1980. Survival of striped bass in 1981 ranged from 1 to 96% and averaged 45% in the ponds fertilized and inoculated with Daphnia. Numbers of striped bass fingerlings produced per hectare and percent survival were significantly greater in 1981 (manure-fertilized ponds) than in 1980 (hay-fertilized ponds). Combinations of organic and liquid inorganic fertilizers and zooplankton inoculation are suggested to develop and maintain the zooplankton forage base in striped bass rearing ponds. Management effort (including the amounts and timing of organic and liquid inorganic fertilizers) should be shifted to maximize crustacean zooplankton foods during the period 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after the fish are stocked.