Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose Source for Trout

Thought I had a source for 6-8" trout but it fell through. Anyone have a source within 1 to 2 hours of Chattanooga, TN?

Maybe an hour and change to one and one half from you, call first to confirm in stock size and quantity for what you're seeking:

Kennesaw Bait Co / Dugout
770 428 7406


They sell trout fingerlings in the cooler months and they've been my source for trout to feed my bass and fish with. Smaller fingerlings IIRC ~$13/dozen and larger fingerlings are ~$18/dozen. I've bought many dozens and my bass eat them like hotcakes. They are right off 75 just South of you.


Also look at Aquatic Environmental Services in Ball Ground. www . lakework . com They sell trout in cooler months but I don't know if they have stock on hand or if you place order and they send a truck on a fish run.

CrazyJu,

Have you tried to acess your DNR website for a list of suppliers in your state or possibly surrounding states?

There are a few dnr hatcheries but they are a little far from here.

No I didn't mean DNR hatcheries. You most likely can't get state fish anyway. I was referring to a list they should have of commercial hatcheries and fish haulers.

Thanks Cecil, I had already contacted the 3 closest off that list and they do not have any available.

CrazyJu -

Did you contact Kennesaw Bait Co / The Dugout? Unless they've had a run on trout they have had hundreds of trout in stock since late September.

They have 4-6 inchers, Im trying to find a little larger. Anyone have any ideal how long it would take 4-6 inchers to get to eating size. Im in SE tn mountain top. The last two years End of April water temp hit 70, so i should have 2-3 months of growth.

Optimum water temps 1.5 inches per month is tops for rainbows. That is with artificial feed and water temps of 55 to 65 F.

Contact Aquatic Environmental Services over at www.lakework.com . Greg Grimes. They make runs to pick up fish and get all sizes of trout, they may have some in stock so worth a call to check see.

Aquatic does have them in stock. Thanks BL. They have 8-10" and 1 lb 13". How many pounds? 1/3 acre 5 month old pond 18ft at dam, and is not suppose to have anything in it. Im going to set up a feeder and will have 2-3 months of growth. And i would have to transport them 2hours. I do have an oxygen injection system but how much water am i going to need per lb?

Ring up Greg at Aquatic and speak with him. He will tell you everything you need to know, from what to bring to transport the trout to how to acclimate them to your body of water to what to feed them, etc.

They will deliver, but you will have to pay. I just pick them up at their facility, and I bring my own plastic totes / containers. Catfish I drop in 55 Gallon heavy duty plastic trash bin, bass and pans go in heavy duty (meaning thick with locking lids) plastic totes.

The trout will need oxygenated water, and Greg will help you with what you need. With respect to how he would move them back up to your place. I use the battery powered air bubbles kits, I cut a hole just large enough for the plastic tube and run the tubes in to oxygenate the water.

I strongly recommend you take steps to deal with spilled or splashing water. It is fish water, and it smells strongly of fish water. Bed of pickup you probably don't care. Back of SUV or similar you probably don't want that odor when the water soaks into the carpeting. So line and line again to contain the water, and take steps to minimize any water leakage. I use electrical tape around totes and place on a larger "pan" with a 3 inch lip, and then have a tarp that is under that and around the totes. I didn't take these steps the first time ... and the misses wasn't happy with the smell in her SUV for quite some time.

The did respond that I would need 1 gallon of water per pound with oxygenation. So now i need to find a 50 gallon container. If i was a little closer I think I would just pull my boat and use the livewell. Is 50lbs enough in 1/3 acre? Too Much?

Many sources indicate a stocking rate of 400-500 per acre of 2-4" trout fingerlings.

You have 1/3 acre, and you are looking at the 8-10" trout and/or 13" and greater trout.

50lbs of 1lb trout gives you 50 trout in 1/3 acre. What are your depths and forage base? Are these pellet trained trout?

It seems like you are looking to get the adults in, and fish them out as the water temperatures rise in the Summer? If so, and your depths and feed are conducive to trout, 50 1lb trout should be alright. But you're likely at the max limit of pounds, and you will want to dine on them come Spring as you fish them out.

Couple of things:
1) If you're getting the 13" and greater trout, your transport container needs to be large enough for that size trout.
2) It may be prudent to have 3-4 totes instead of 1 or 2 totes for transport.
3) Consider the air bubble systems that run off batteries, and have fresh batteries installed. IF you get jammed in traffic you will need that oxygenated water. Trout don't do well sitting still. Depending on whereabouts you are in the Chat area you've got an hour to an hour and one half to hammer down and get back up there.

I was looking for one large container because i have an oxygen injection system but i only have one difuser. If 50lbs is the max, then i will go with the 13" The pond is actually 20min north of chatt, about a 2 hour drive. And yes, just looking to catch and eat, they will not last much past April anyways.Not much of a forage base, probably just what has natually found its way in there in 5 months. Hoping these will eat floating food. Thanks for the help BL

I just got a call from someone in Louisville yesterday that has 11,000 pounds of Rainbow trout they are wanting to sell....PM me if you'd like details. I have not seen the fish, but they sound healthy, are not graded, average 1 pound, and best, are reasonably priced.

You might get a quote from them to see what they'll charge you to deliver. When you factor in your gas, the container, and time, it may not be that much more to just have Greg's crew deliver the trout to your pond.

Just got a phone call from a local that i had called last week and he said he could have me 50lbs that i can pick up 5 minutes from my house. I really appreciate all the help guys. This is a great forum.