Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Corrective stocking Seasonal Stocking of Rainbow Trout

Does anyone have source of pros and cons of stocking rainbow trout in cold months in East Texas ponds?

Did you get the last issue of Pond Boss? There is an article on that subject in that issue.

I would not see any cons. Just harvest as many as you can before the water warms up too much in the spring. They are very easy to catch and you should be able to harvest almost all of them if not all of them.

As long as you get sizeable fingerlings you should be okay.

6-7" fish should be eating size by spring.

Doublewide,
I stocked 8" rainbows in my pond one fall a few years ago. Everybody had a ball catching them through the ice. But when they were gutted we found they were stuffed with baby bluegills. As many as twenty in some of them. We noticed a dramatic difference in the bluegill catch in subsequent years. It seemed like the rainbows took advantage of the sluggish bluegill in the cold water. Those same trout were over 12" long the following spring.

Brad B.

I have stocked rainbows in my pond (East Texas) for about 6 years. They come from Missouri in December. They last until May if the weather doesn't get too warm. I flyfish for them and they are fun to catch. My pond drains a hayfield so the water is very clear. The closer you get to May, the tougher they are to catch. This year I ordered 1 lb to 1 1/4 lb trout. The fish are very healthy and put up a good fight. They feed on insect hatches & pellets. I also have bass, bluegills, and sunfish. The pond is about one acre.

William Mullins,

Would you mind naming your supplier? I'd like to try that next winter also. Thanks.

Try this source:

[URL=www.crystallakefisheries.com ]Crystal Lake Fishery[/URL]

I have always gotten the trout from Crystal Lake Hatchery or Fisheries. Marvin Emerson at (417) 683-2301. Usually they have lots of fish, but several years ago it was hard to get fish of any size. They are lots of fun to catch and the fish seem to be very healthy. Let me know if you have any other questions.