Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose summer stocking

BTW - we all know what it's like to want to rush and get fish in there... and you CAN do it, you just need an overall plan that makes sense..

Healthy bream and bass. Eating size. My plan is to stock 520 CNB,and 225 redear this fall and 75 lmb next spring. Also 15lbs of FH if I can get them this summer.
Thanks for your advice Aaron

If you're going to eat, that's good because you can harvest you bass well after a while. Having it just out front makes it easy.

Do you plan on feeding?? The CNBG's will be easy to feed. You'd have to get feed trained lmb.

The pond is 1.5 acres, right? Those numbers aren't too aggressive, which is good. You can't put in too many FH, and frankly if you're feeding (and eating) your BG I'd look at putting in more and larger BG - especially since they'll just spawn by summer. Getting a really good forage base in place, with lots of BG's that will be big enough to escape predation is key.

Do you also plan on aerating?

We will not be feeding them on a regular basis but will from time to time just for fun.
I also found another reason to stock some FH. Hopefully they will eat our algae. From the pictures on the web I feel pretty sure it is watermeal. It is not too bad just now but I don't want the watermeal to get out of control.
PS Will the CNBG spawn in early spring and can we stock our bass right after the spawn.

They will eat a little, but as soon as you put in lmb they'll be gone. I'd suggest feeding if you can, it makes a nice difference. Again you can't overstock the FH.. I put over 20 lbs into my .2ac pond to start.. they're just so easy to eat up once you get the bass in there.

Don't be afraid to go higher on the ratio of BG to LMB, especially since you want to put the lmb in next spring. I'd go with various sizes too, maybe even some 4-6+ inches.

How many BG to LMB would you put. I went with the lower number because we will not be fertilizing either.

You're on the standard 10 to 1 ratio - at about 1/2 the total rate for 1.5 acres. Some are, and I did, put a lot more BG's. I think your logic on the lower numbers is fine without fertilization.

I'd double or triple the BG's to make sure the LMB get a good start. Doubling the BG would give you about standard on the BG and 1/2 of the LMB - which would give you LMB a nice start when they go in next year - either spring or fall. What sizes of BG/RES/LMB were you planning on?

Aaron my face is red. I looked back at my post and don't know where I came up with the figure of 520 CNBG. I have notes scribble everywhere and sometimes have trouble reading them. Let me start all over.
I plan to stock 750 CNBG, 225 Redear, and 75 bass. Does that sound better?
PS I really haven't given much thought to their size.

Yep.. that should work. I think you could still double the bg if you wanted to ensure you build a nice forage base. Just make sure they spawn before you put in the LMB. Sizes will be important - lean larger, or put in various sizes, of the BG - and go small on the LMB. Have some pics of the pond?

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=350514097

Glad you asked.
Here is a video I made that I put on MySpace. Hope you can see it.

Cool video! Do you have any pictures of the pond with water in it?

Hey Guys: Should I consider putting some crawdads in my .75A. pond for future feed for bass?? Thx JJ

jimmydee, from what I hear Crawdads are great but may not establish.

Also be SURE you get the right kind of Crawdads, others will know more.

The archive thread on Crayfish may be helpful.

Brett
I've been trying to post Pics. So far I haven't had any luck.

I also had good luck with Anderson in case you can't find FH locally.

FYI, the next issue of PB mag will have a pretty good article about crawdads.

GW
I talked to someone called Max yesterday at Anderson about buying FH from them. Other suppliers have stopped running their trucks until this fall.
Max is really a talker. Did you know he has 14 grandchildren and he is 60 years old. His family fishes his pond every week end and they fry fish. He will not allow them to throw any fish back no matter how small. He has 4 wheelers and motor bikes that they ride around the pond. He has a black bug light that is on a timer and the blue gill feed off the bugs every night. He has one of the finest ponds in the state the same size as mind. He encouraged me to stock golden shiners which cannot be shipped until spring. I tried to tell him why I wanted the FH now several times but he continually talked about how he managed his pond and helped others to improve theirs.. He strongly encouraged me to fertilize and I finally got word in that we had just limed the pond and couldn't fertilize yet. He said he was going to call a friend of his that was a biologist and call me back today because he had never heard that a pond could not be fertilize soon after liming. When I hung up after 45 min. I didn't know weather to laugh or cry. I still do not have my FH ordered.

I also had a nice conversation with Max about stocking GSF. I don't think I convinced him that it was a good idea. I did manage to get my order in though and my FH arrived exactly 24 hours later. The delivery person was supposed to get a signature but didn't bother to. Within an hour after I received the fish Max called me to make sure the fish had not been neglected.

That Max at Anderson's is a friendly guy and he sure is proud of his pond. I also enjoyed my conversation with him. He told me about how he tags fish and how he cought a 12 lb LMB from his pond. For me it was 45 min well spent.

Just talked to Max again and ordered my FH. We will receive 1300 Friday. I told him the results of my water test and how I was concern about the low alkalinity. He suggested I try one box to see how they would do. I agree Max is a helpful, friendly person. I was a bit taken aback about all the info he gave me. My husband liked the idea about the black bug light. We use to have two lights on our pier but decided to tear the pier down because it was rotten in places so we do have a source of electricity. Can anyone tell me more about the black light bug light?

http://www.suttlefish.com/buglight2.htm

this is a product you can purchase.There is also a thread about building your own bug whacker I could not find it though. Maybee one of the experts knows what it's called. I searched bug light with no luck. This Idea sounds pretty good to me also. I wonder if it is cheaper to purchase fish feed or leave those lights on all night? I guess the lights provide a more natural meal.

Thanks Brett
I checked out the site. Seems to be the light to buy after our new dock is built.

This was the beginning of my parents pond.

This Pic taken 3 years ago before we drained the pond. It must have been after a heavy rain because no FA was not showing.