Well I finally got it plugged and it is starting to fill up ever so slowly. Pond should eventually be 20+ac in size and I hope to grow mainly trophy bass. I would also like to have something for the youngsters to catch, as we will be hopefully having many church and family functions here in the future. I currently have lots of structure in the lake, everything from windrowed trees, humps, ledges, rock piles, etc.
The water is currently at 2-3ac and probably 6-8 ft deep in some areas. Since this was not a totally new build, the water is not muddy but actually clears pretty fast after a rain. My initial thoughts are to stock with 3ac worth of bait fish, mainly FHM CNB. I was thinking give it the full winter and most of the spring before adding any predator fish (hopefully Camelot Bell Bass.)
Any thoughts or suggestions. Not really any way to know how fast it will fill up. Don't know if initial stocking will keep up with the fill up or if additional stockings will be needed. Any thoughts on that? Is late spring too early to stock predator fish, even in moderation?
Thoughts are appreciated. Please remember however that money IS a factor and this is not a trust fund kid playing with daddy's money. lol.
Thanks!

20 plus acre lake...wow...nice!

I would go with a small number of FHM that can reproduce on their own, look each one of them over well before stocking. This should reduce the chance of having something you don't want accidentally introduced into the lake such as bullheads or green sunfish.

kklegend, I'd probably stock 1,000 CNBG per acre, and 10 Pounds of FHM's per acre for 3 acres. I wouldn't want to bet on any quick water rises at this point.

Also might be a good time to get your water tested as per previous thread.

I would be patient and let your CNBG and FHM have a full year before stocking any bass. Source all your fish from Overton's even the FHM remove risk of unwanted species being mixed in. As a matter of fact, just call Todd up and work with him. He is as trusted as any member on here to give you good advise on growing some monster bass...

Stock for 3 acres with FH and CNBG and let them fill the pond with fish. You can add some more next fall if needed. No LMB or predator fish until next fall and then stock advanced size LMB fingerlings (6 inch) at 30 per acre max. My preference at your location is some Fla LMB (CB or other good genetic stock and some northern LMB)as this gives a good aggressive catch rate and still a chance for trophies.

Suggest you manage for balanced populations until you fully understand what managing for trophy LMB means (catch rate on CNBG and LMB). I have yet to see a true trophy LMB pond/lake that is fun for kids to fish for long. Keeping a private 20 acre lake from being LMB crowded is a challenge but can be done.

Thanks for the input. Have been talking with Overtons and will probably order fish and let them send a biologist down to test water and advise farther. Looking at possibly 2-4in of rain in the next week so maybe I will catch some more and get another rise.

Pictures please! We love photos.

Here you go. Not the best pics but you get the point. The middle knoll in the second pic is where my house is going. Hopefully start construction in the next year.

Great decision. You seem to have the same red clay as I do, and my PH runs about 6.5 naturally. If ag lime is recommended, spreading it before the pond fills up is much easier.

Beautiful view.