I finished excavation on a small pond in west Texas last week and they are coming to install the liner tomorrow. The pond has 23,000 SQ feet of surface area on the bottom, 13,291 sq feet on the surface and is 16 feet deep in the middle. We calculate it to hold 727,659 gallons.

Plans are something for the kids to swim in and FISH.

I have not even started researching what kinds of fish and stocking rates yet but this thing is going to basically be like a swimming pool with the liner. Would like for sure catfish and maybe bass, crappie, bluegills? I know it is small and I can't put a lot.

Should I put anything on the bottom like gravel? The sides are pretty steep I think it would all go to the bottom. What about structure? I have no ideas on what to do.

Hey Bdog,

If it was my pond (and it is not!) I would cover the liner with a foot or more of relatively stone free clay or soil and maybe add a few spawning shelves out of the clay as well. My thought is the clay "liner" will protect the man-made liner from tears and allow you to add some pea gravel spawning substrate suitable for your BG and LMB as well as any vegetation or habitat you might choose to add later. IMO the pond is too small for crappie but the other fish on your wish list are doable in moderation.

Not a pro...just my 1 cent

Bill D.

Hey Bdog, You must consider the Fish Pond Liner Coating for problem free pond and water feature. Determine better water quality parameters for greatest concern and pondpro2000 is the best solution I recommend