I've tried searching on here for a hatcheries list by state but i can't find anything. Can somebody kindly suggest where I can buy a few lbs of fat heads now, and some bass / bluegills in the spring? I'm near Frederick md so the Baltimore and DC area is all fairly close.

This summer i dug a .10 or less acre pond and want to get fat head minnows in before it gets any colder. I'm thinking 2-3 lbs should do.

In mid spring i would like to add 6-10 LMB and maybe 50 northern or coppernose bluegill.

Does this sound like the correct rates? I have lots of fish structure.

Go to local bait shop, buy dozen minnows, post good photo of minnow here, we will ID for you. Once we determine species you can go buy a few dozen, and as long as the pond is deep enough to prevent winter kill, you'll have thousands by next Summer. No need to break the bank, or drive all over MD to hatcheries. Fatheads are [in the midwest] the most common baitfish sold. Might be different out your way - could be a shiner species or different minnow. Good luck.

Zetts in WV is probably closest, but you can try Midatlantic Pond Stocking, I have no experience with them though. What are your goals for the pond? Regardless, we're too far north for CNBG.

Goals: i am aiming for a spot the kids can catch some fish frogs and turtles in. I would like to eat a few bluegill every now and then, obviously from the pond size i cant expect anything trophy size but maybe 6" or so.

Northerners look better anyway


There's a gas station with live bait down the street I'll check with them.

I don't see the point in rushing to stock this fall as it's too late for reproduction anyway. What kind of slope do you have? If not much i see a heron cleaning out your fatheads and other fish without staked lines in place.

The pond is so smalll it seems hybrid pellet fed bluegills should be your choice. If that's the case i see no point in putting in fatheads. Don't over stock or over feed or you'll be looking at filamentous algae issues which may happen anyway.

I would also seriously consider Aquashade if you go the hybrid bluegill route.

If it was my pond I'd go the HBG/CC/HSB stocking option.

I see why HBG but why the catfish?

Help control the HBG, that or a lone LMB.

Gotcha! Didn't think of that!

I thought the CC's would churn up the mud? i'd like to keep my clean clear-ish water if possible. dont CC also breed like mice? i've seen small ponds on feeding systems with so many 6" CC's tha tyou could walk across teh surface.

In your case you'd only be stocking 5-10 CC. If you place no spawning structure in the pond, it's unlikely they'll spawn.

http://www.maryland-select.com/pond-stocking

I can't vett these guys but i will be picking up some BG from them for stocking this year.