If this is experimental I would not worry about max stocking rates but go lower as not to waste money and fish if they don't work out. Maybe add up to 50 large fish?
I would get larger fish (at least 10 to 12 inches and would stay away from brooks and browns -- at least at first. If rainbows don't make it neither will the brooks and browns and the browns are hard to catch. You will hear people say the browns can handle more marginal temps which is true but there is a fine line of marginal temps they can handle. You can also have numerous browns in a pond and never catch them.
Another thing to keep in mind is trout don't do well with catch and release especially when temps get marginal in summer. They may swim away only to die later.
I would suggest Crystal Springs in Muskegeon Michigan. If you're close to his delivery site and he has room on the truck he will deliver to you. You need to talk to the owner John Nelski. 1-800-378-2490. Tell him Cecil Baird sent you. He has sterile female rainbows, golden rainbows, brooks, and browns. He will be coming down to Clear Lake east of Fremont and Oliver Lake north of Wolcottville sometime toward the end of October to bring fish for our trout club NEITA(date not decided yet but should be by this coming Tuesday).
You shouldn't have to apply for an Importation permit as that has already been taken care of by the trout club. Crystal Springs had met all Importation requirements. And you won't need a stocking permit as you will be planting a private pond. However if you do any transporting you would need a Fish Hauler's and Suppliers permit which is free. If you have any questions you can call Randy Lang of the IDNR at (317)-232-4080. I can provide you with any application forms you would need.
There is another source coming from Wisconsin toward the end of this month called Seven Pines Fisheries. They're planting the Pigeon River in Mongo. They have both rainbows and browns. However they are not likely to want to deliver to your pond and typically the truck is full. I have not been able to get browns from them the last two years due to not enough room for my order or mechanical problems. I think your best bet is Crystal Springs. And If they add another order I may get bumped again!
However here is their contact Information:
Seven Pines Fishery, Inc.
1029 Claim Falls Drive
Frederic, WI 54837
Phone:
715-653-2271
Fax:
715-653-4129
These are the only two sources I know of that have the proper disease testing and clean bill of health to import trout to Indiana.
