Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Stocking new ponds

My two reconstructed ponds are finally done and starting to catch a little water. My three questions are: #1 this being totally sterile water, will the sunfish and fat head minnows have enough to eat? I intend to have a feeder dispense pellets twice a day, but I am still concerned that the sterile water will not provide the microplankton necessary for these fish's survival. #2 Is it twice as good to stock the forage base at twice the "normal rate" of 1000 sunfish per acre and 5 lbs of fat head minnows per acre? I intend to stock the forage base ASAP and then put in 50 bass per acre in 6 months. Also (question #3), is it better to buy the largest fingerlings available? It seems that, if they live, you would get a 3 or 4 week headstart if you got the 3-5 inch sunfish instead of the 1-3 inch size and it would seem to be better to buy the 2-2 1/2 inch bass as opposed to the 1 1/2 inch size. Again, thanks for all of your help.

Marty,
"Sterile" water is not necessarily lacking food for newly stocked fish. 1,000 sunfish and 5# of fathead minnows in an acre sounds like a lot of fish, but really only amounts to a starting weight of no more than 25 pounds of fish in an area similar in size to a football field. They'll have plenty to eat, especially during cooler months. But, be ready to get the feeder going during the first week of March. Your temps in Alba will justify a March start on feeding.
#2...It's not twice as good to stock twice the numbers of fish. As a matter of fact, overstocking forage fish could have a direct negative impact on growth rates of young bluegill and reproduction rates of fathead minnows. So, stay with proven stocking rates, especially in new water.
#3...Not necessary to buy the biggest fingerlings. 3-5 inch sunfish are adults, ready to spawn. Feasibly, they could be large enough to eat your baby bass at next spring's stocking. Buy smaller fish, try to get them 2-3" long. Stock 2-3" bass, next spring.

Bob, Thank you very much for your reply. I just want to clarify one thing...when you say "next spring" do you mean stock the bass in spring 2003 or 2004? Thanks again. Marty

Spring, 2003 for bass. Forage fish ASAP....but don't handle fish during coldest weather.