My 3/4 acre pond was finished last week, it is 6 ft at the deepest right now with 3 shallow areas for bedding area and some slow rising banks on the backside. At full pool I imagine it will be around 9 ft. I put around 160 concrete block and some trees/stumps in different places for habitat. I also transplanted some grass that grows in a low spot on my land for added cover.

My plan is to have a pond with nice sized bluegill and LMB in it. I don't mind mixing up the pan fish if that is needed, just want the kids to be able to catch some fish and for me to catch some nicer bass later.

I talked to 2 different hatcheries, one I dismissed completely because he told me to go ahead and stock it before I increased the size and all the fish would be fine and also at a rate almost triple what the other hatchery stated.

Per GA DNR:

375 Brim 80%BG 20% RES
37 LMB

Per the local hatchery who I told my goals:

1500 1-2" BG
1/4 Load Threadfin Shad
35 LMB

My question is what do you all think of this? I plan to feed, right now I don't have aerators in place but may add them later and I really don't want to start a fertilizing program because I don't want to commit to doing it 5-6 times a year like the DNR recommend.

I don't like either. I would delay bass until you had an adequate forage base.

I also don't see much reason for the TFS.

I don't know your area so can't comment on fertilization. Have you had the water tested?

I have to agree with Dave on not stocking your lmb at the same time you stock the others. In most of the south one could stock his forage fish this fall and then follow up with the lmb next spring. I do agree with the person who said you could stock now before the pond is full. I would at least add fathead minnows now in this hot summer months. Just stock your forage fish and let them get started growing and reproducing building your base. Lots of information here in the archives and past posts.

Tracy

Sorry, my mistake. I just posted the ratios, everything will be this fall with the bass following next spring.

Waiting for the water to settle, will have it tested then.

For a balanced pond (so far as possible)

1000 BG/RES
10 lbs FH
LMB next spring/june - 50

For Big LMB pond (for first 3 years)

2000 BG/RES
20 lbs FH
30 LMB next spring

No TFS at this point (? pond size , location and plankton status). Other forage species possible.

Thanks for your advice. I really appreciate it since I feel like I have 1 shot to really get it right.

I spoke with/looked at about 6 different places but all I see is the Gambusia Minnows. I did find the FHM on some places online but worry about ordering from people I dont know this time of year.

So do you think by doubling the BG it will just jump start the the growth on the LMB population? Or is that just getting the forage established for once the LMB start to spawn?

I can also get adult BG from my Dads pond to help with a chance of spawning this season if you think it is worth it. But we put GA Giants in it approximately 13 years ago along with a few hundred what appeared to be just silver looking brim from a neighbors pond. I will try and catch one of each and post pictures this weekend.

ewest made some good recommendations to you. I think all fish suppliers here in the south will have fathead minnows.

Tracy

"So do you think by doubling the BG it will just jump start the the growth on the LMB population? Or is that just getting the forage established for once the LMB start to spawn?"

For southern ponds both and they are related. Studies show that the old 10 to 1 BG/LMB stocking ratios is ok for a time at establishing a balanced population but it only lasts for a short time (3 yrs). Newer studies indicated that 2 to 3 times (20 to 30 to 1) will keep a balanced population longer and aid in early LMB growth. Mgt is still necessary for continued balance and growth.

Assuming you can get good quality BG (male and female) then adding adults to your stocking will advance the process considerably.

The real key is managing the offspring not the original stocked fish.

Thanks again, I cant wait to put in some fish.

First fish in should be the FHM. Add the small BG (1"-2") as soon as you can locate them. Mid summer is a stressful time to be stocking fish. Spend some time searching for good fish farms. For threadfin to adequately work you should fertilize to produce a good bloom for them to thrive. No fertilization - stick with FHM, BG, RES, maybe golden shiner. Feed a good quality fish food and the fishery will be high quality.
How far is this top of the line pond-lake management place from you, seriously consider using their fish: Aquatic Environmental Services, Inc. 2050 Howell Bridge Road, Ball Ground, GA 30107. 770.735.3523
http://lakework.com/fish-stocking-2/

Thanks Bill, they are about 6 hours away. I am all the way in the Southeast Corner of Georgia. Do you think the quality of fish varies enough to warrant that far of a drive? It seems a long way to transport fish when it is hot.

My neighbor told me today he put FHM in his pond and that I could come and catch some out. Is there any highly distinguishable feature that would allow a FHM to stand out from other "common" minnows?

I don't pretend to have the knowledge of Bill or Eric, but if I were living in southeast Georgia I'd seriously consider good quality CNBG from the area rather than BG (RES is good for snail control). Very well adapted to the heat, grow big, and a pretty fish.

Ok thanks, I will continue to check around. I figured the fish the DNR offered would be pretty good since they are raised approximately an hour from here. There are some here that have the GA Giant Hybrid BG but I don't think I want to go that route. Everyone I know locally that did it said the resulting pond went downhill a few years after.