I have a fresh new pond on my property. It measures approx 225' x 65' x approx 7' deep. I am estimating between an 1/8 & 1/4 acre. I know ther have been countless posts on this forum and accross the web about stocking help. However, I thought I could post some pics here and get some current input from experienced forum members.

My goal is to have a family fishing hole where wildlife could benefit on my propery and possible jump in for a swim from time to time.
After doing some research, it seems that I should stock HBG and/or CC - feed, fish, and restock. I am wondering if this pond will be big enough to stock about 15 LMB, 200 BG, and 20 CC that could work into a sustainable fishery???

Any input and experience would be great.
Thanks in advance.

I personally would leave the CC out and include some RES. The first thing I would do is stock some FHM and wait a year for them to build up. This will give the other fish something to eat and grow on. Think about establishing some "desirable" marginal and aquatic plants before more invasive species establish.

Welcome to PBF Jim!

If your pond is 225 x 65 it is approximately 1/3 acre.



IMO for a 1/3 acre pond....As RAH said, I would also start with 2 or 3 pounds of FHM and add 50 to 100 RES for parasite control. Assuming you are stocking fingerlings BG, I would go with 400 to get the BG to LMB ratio closer to 30 to 1. I think your LMB and CC numbers are fine. You will probably need to restock the CC from time to time as you harvest them as I doubt they will provide any recruitment.

Please keep us in the loop on your progress and post pics!

Again, welcome!

Bill D.

Thanks for the info. Since the pond is closer to a triangle shape, it may be smaller than the measurements seem. I am including some pics to give you a better visual idea of the pond.

Is there a drain pipe?

Triangle means you are probably approx 1/6 acre. I think it might be tricky to reach your goal of a "sustaining" LMB, BG, CC pond then. Are you planning on feeding the fish pellets?

I plan on feeding, but also aerating and fertilizing. I don't want to overstock for a self-sustaining pond, but if I am not successful with RES and BG, then I will just stock HBG and CC - fish and re-stock. I am guessing it may not be full til fall, so I am planning on stocking FHM once it is half full then RES and BG this fall.

The pond builder\excavator did not put in a drain pipe. There is a "sort of a spillway" at the low end of the pond. The damn is higher in the center. If it looks like it wants to over-fill, I plan on digging a spot for a culvert or drain pipe at the low end to make sure the pond drains properly.

How much watershed does your pond have? You can predict the overflow situation ahead of a flood and potentially save some costs and heartache by installing a pipe of the right size beforehand. I just built a wetland without a drain pipe but the watershed is less than the surface area of the wetland and the spillway is in undisturbed vegetated soil. Running water has incredible force and can wreck havoc under the right conditions.