Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose Stocking New Pond

First time poster and may not know all the abbrevations but here goes. I have a new 20-22 acre lake in SE Oklahoma that has extensive rock structure, drop offs, rock channels and two large rock piles (fish condominiums) located in deeper water. Water depths up to 30 feet in spots. I was planning on stocking FHM this month (4#/ac). In the fall stock BG (300/ac), CNBG(50/ac), RES(100/ac),Long ears(100) and CC(100/ac) this fall. Next June I was planning on stocking native LMB(55/ac); FL LMB(10/ac) and SMB(35/ac). I realize it is a risk with the SMB and LMB but wanted to get some feedback on the idea. I think I will have habitat for both and with the variety of forage fish hope to have sufficient food for all. Would welcome any feedback.

Welcome Okieman!

Sounds like a great project. Have to ask.. have pictures of this place? sounds fantastic.

Your strategy can work. If you're shooting for a pond that has both LMB and SMB I might suggest giving the SMB a head start for a year or so. Thoughts of other forage? Such as Golden Shiners or Threadfin shad?

What are the goals of the pond? How often will you fish it? Plan on feeding any of the fish? Harvesting them for food?

I'd say that at first glance it's probably 'light' on BG/sunfish and heavy on predators depending on your goals. That's a lot of CC (2000). But if you like to catch and eat them then it might work.

I agree with Aaron. The generally recommended stocking rate of BG and/or CNBG is 1,000 per acre.

There are a number of options available depending on your goals. The methods differ somewhat with a large lake vs. a small pond. In a large lake you have a lot of open water that is not used much by BG but should be used not wasted. TShad and GShiners fill that niche well. I would reduce the # of LMB per acre to a total of 30 per acre max and 50 SMB. I also would give the SMB a head start. Stocking them followed by the LMB in low #s will allow enough space for both to find a niche and establish.

I would rough out a plan and start checking on fish availability in the sizes and proper times and adjust from there. Starting with FH , GShiner fry , TShad and adult BG and RES in low #s can really jump start a dynamic forage base. Then I would add the small BG/CNBG/RES/LES in the fall along with the CC and SMB (2-4 inch) followed by the LMB next spring . Fertile water and feeding will help.

Thanks for the quick feedback. I have thought of Tfin and was planning on adding in spring of next year a few months before LMB/SMB. Would add before but worried they might not make it through the winter. Will know this week. I also made 30 minute video of lake bottom and structure so I'll know just where to fish. Do not plan on feeding. Weekend place but I do plan on harvesting fish and hope to have some great LMB/SMB fishing someday. How do I attach pictures and I can forward?

Check out this link to learn how to upload pictures. I use photobucket.

http://www.pondboss.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=92443#Post92443

Randy,
Let's talk...I still want to come by and take a look at your lake and help design a thoughtful stocking plan. I'll drop you an email with some dates.
For your project, you need more than fish. For smallmouth bass, we need to talk about long term objectives and a game plan. The fish are part of the game plan, but the plan is more important than the fish.

When Mr. Lusk wants to talk, take his offer!

Welcome to Pond Boss Okieman, we're glad you found us. And you jumped right in and started posting that's great! Please post some photos when you can.

Bob: I'll give you a call and set a time to stop by. In the mean time I am going to attempt the picture thing this afternoon. Wish me luck. By the way, you should see the 30 minute narrated video I made of the lake bottom and structure. Given the unique genre I suspected there were only a dozen people in the entire US that would enjoy it, namely my hunting and fishing buddies. Forgot about this crowd...

Yep we're freaks that way. Get the video hosted and post a link!

Ok, here goes my effort to provide pictures of the lake site before water was added the past couple of weeks. If it doesn't work I'll try again. Regarding the video youtube has a 10 minute limit and the video is 31 minutes. Don't know how to post it. Pictures will have to do for now. Wish me luck.

http://s618.photobucket.com/albums/tt265/theokieman/

WOW! What a lake that is going to be... Certainly some great rock habitat there! If you could produce both LMB and SMB in the same small lake, yours just maybe the one. I can't wait to see how your lake progresses. Very nice!

Looks great Okieman. Is your place North of Broken Bow? The land looks familiar.

Just a little northeast of Atoka.

Okieman, place looks awesome.

For the video, try http://www.vimeo.com

Its free to create an account. When uploading, convert the video to 320x240, 32k mono audio... should work just fine.

I can't wait for the viedo Okieman, I hope you get it up and working. Thanks AaronM for the link, I think that is a great site...

Great news. Just learned the lake is finally full. I am going to try to drive up tomorrow to see for myself. I will take pictures and post them for you. Very exciting...

Can't wait to see!

See if this link shows all the pictures. Really looks great. Water is much clearer than I thought it would be after all the rain and being a new pond and all. Of course you guys all know the joy of seeing your new lake full of water for the first time. Pretty awesome. Now for some fishies.

http://s618.photobucket.com/albums/tt265/theokieman/

wow that looks great

What a fishery it's gonna be. Some great looking pics and that water does look great! Keep us updated on your progress...