Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose Stocking new pond in S. ILL.

New pond completed fall '04, approx .75 acre, about half full at this point. Maximum depth will be 9-9.5 feet. Have been researching stocking options for Bass & Bluegill fishing on this site and others. My thoughts are to purchase thru the local USDA-Soil Conservation office fish sale the following: 500 Hybrid Sunfish, 1-2"; 250 Redear, 1-2"; 5lbs fathead minnows in April 05, followed by 75 LMB, 3", this fall. I have chosen the smaller sized fish due to the fact that I really don't have the equipment & manpower to haul larger sizes. I am new to this board and to pond ownership and welcome any comments or suggestions.

As many others on this forum would recommend, scrap the hybrid sunfish and use pure bluegill instead. Hybrids can be wonderful in a small pond, put-and-take setting where you want to limit sunfish reproduction, but for a "bass-and-bluegill" pond you will be better off with the forage producing capabilities of heavily spawning bluegills. You would also probably be better off delaying the LMB stocking until spring 2006. By then they will have tons of food from the Fatheads, if not also from a successful Bluegill spawn.

Thanks for the information. The hybrid sunfish was listed on the sale ad, but I do know that the hatchery also has bluegill. I will be patient and wait until Spring '06 to stock the bass. It has been raining steadily for the last 2 days and the pond is very nearly full, and I am most anxious to get my project underway.