Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Creating the food chain Stocking Ohio Pond

Hello All,
Its January here in Ohio, and the lack of winter has got me itching to start stocking our 1.3 acre pond that was just finished late October. The pond at full pool will be 13 feet. Currently we are measuring around 8-10 feet of water. My husband and I want to enjoy catching some decent large mouth and plenty of bluegills for the kids to catch. I have to be honest, I have read so much on stocking ponds that I have reached over-load! Everytime I think I have it figured out I just end up having more questions. I have a good grasp on how many fingerlings of each species to stock, but that is where my confidence ends. So my questions begin with:
1. Since it is January and the pond isnt frozen can I go ahead and add a gallon of flathead minnows? (after floating the bag in the pond for 30 min)
2. In what sequence should I add the bluegills, redears and large mouth?
3. Should I add them all together or add the bass and redears around April and the Bluegill in early Fall??


Thanks a ton for your support. I am going to the fishery this weekend and though they are well established and trusted business, and I do value their opinion, I would rather have a neutral party with no financial obligation as well!!

Hello Strauser,

1. You could add the FHM but they I would suggest just add the FHM when you add the other fish in spring.

2. If you are adding BG and RES you should add them in Spring of this year 2012 and then add your FHM with them. Then in 2013 spring add your LMB. This will allow the FHM, BG, and RES to get established before the LMB start eating.

3. answered in number 2.

I would suggest getting Bob's books. Rasing trophy Bass if you want good sized LMB and Perfect pond which you can get from pondboss.com

1. Since it is January and the pond isnt frozen can I go ahead and add a gallon of flathead minnows? (after floating the bag in the pond for 30 min) -- yes---2. In what sequence should I add the bluegills, redears and large mouth?
3. Should I add them all together -- not my suggested method --- or add the bass and redears around April and the Bluegill in early Fall -- a better method-- ??

There is a divergence of advice on stocking northern ponds. IMO it can be done either way with proper management. That may be the source of the confusion.

Since you still have room to work with do you have all the structure in the pond you want??

Yes the structure is in place. There are a few things we still need to drop in but with the lack of ice this year, we weren't able to get out on the pond like we had planned.

We assume you are stocking all fingerling fish - correct? bgill & RES 1"-3" and LMBass 2"-4"?

Where do you plan to get the fish?

We will be stocking 2-4 " fish. I currently have been looking at Fresh Water Farms and Steve Heitman from Anna. Both are state liscensed. I did call freshwater farms this week and they will not have any minnows until late March