I will be stocking 125 3"-5" and 50 7"-9" bass. We have decided to go ahead and stock them this fall. It is raining again today. I took off of work to plant my food plots so of course it rained. lol, But at least it is not in my basement Drahts.
The water is filling up the pond nicely. I haven't had time to brush hog the pasture around the pond so please ignore the tall grass. The dock is 16' wide so it gives you an idea about how long the pond is. I think we are about 4' from being full pool. I was also able to get some food plots in this past week in between rains. Little late on the corn but if it produces just a little the deer will like it anyways. My oldest son Rider (14) helped me drag some of the plots that we broadcasted. He was a good helper.
"Forget pounds and ounces, I'm figuring displacement!"
If we accept that: MBG(+)FGSF(=)HBG(F1) And we surmise that: BG(>)HBG(F1) while GSF(<)HBG(F1) Would it hold true that: HBG(F1)(+)AM500(x)q.d.(=)1.5lbGRWT? PB answer: It depends.
Going with 200 total LMB is common in your area, but IIRC, you only stocked like 625 BG? Sure wouldn't hurt those LMB's appetite if you added another 500- 6" BG 3:1 ratio of bg to lmb is pretty light.
We put in almost 900 blue gill and 200 red ear. They were placed before they spawned too. I can always get more but I thought that was similar to what I have been reading on here. We have between 2.5-3 acres at full pool, which is very close.
Great looking place, pond, ponds.. I'm noticing more Missouri guys on here all the time. A lot of this rain has missed the NE part of the state. I've been waiting since last fall for my pond to fill. However, starting Fri, there's a 50% chance of rain for six days. Hopefully we will get some. Your place looks great. I wish I would have got ours before my sons had grown up and were on their own. Yours will have lifetime memories made there for sure. I'm working at luring in grand kids now. Ha
9 yr old pond, 1 ac, 15' deep. RES, YP, GS, FHM (no longer), HBG (going away), SMB, and HSB (only one seen in 5 yrs) Restocked HSB (2020) Have seen one of these. I think that's about all I should put in my little pond. Otter attack in 2023
Thanks everyone! We are very excited about it and glad that we can share our place with our kids, family and friends. I couldn't have picked a better spring to build a pond. Started building in February and nearing full pool already. It will be almost 18' at full pool.
We put in almost 900 blue gill and 200 red ear. They were placed before they spawned too. I can always get more but I thought that was similar to what I have been reading on here. We have between 2.5-3 acres at full pool, which is very close.
It depends on your goals for the pond. If your goals are to grow large Bluegills, then the stocking strategy is good. If your goals are to grow large LMB, then the stocking ratio is more near 30:1 or greater. (bluegills to bass)
We received 5 inches of rain over the weekend. Our pond really jumped up! Starting to look a lot different. My brushhog/mower comes in this week too, so I can finally start taking care of the grass and weeds a little bit too.
We are now at full pool. Water is actually going over the spill way. We have had 7" of rain in the last 4 days. But we have more coming. The dock beams are barely under water, but once the water level stabilizes it should be perfect. Last night we were about 1.5' from being full. Amazing how quickly our pond has filled! But now I'm nervous that it holds! I'm sure it will be just fine.
With all those amazing rock piles you should really consider stocking some crayfish. They would have plenty of structure and should be able to get a sustainable population going, plus they are relatively cheap. You have done a spectacular job of designing this pond but I fear you are light on forage. If you want big bass you should wait until next year to stock your bass or add a significant number of 6" bluegill and maybe a few hundred golden shiners now. Are you going to establish any vegetation for your young forage?
Last edited by RockvilleMDAngler; 06/16/1511:32 AM.
Thanks guys! We currently have some crayfish that were in the forage pond before we built. I still see their holes in the ground. Could definitely use more though. I am working with MDC on this project since I am so involved with our youth. I am making this available for some youth fishing days throughout the year. Esshup was telling me the same thing about being light on forage. I am trying to address the issue. My goals are #1 quality bass fishing, #2 Good sized blue gill for entertaining the kids. I have put a lot of time and effort into this project so I really want it done right.
Wow, your pond looks great. We've missed most of that rain North and East of you. We've had a couple of inches over the last two days up by Mark Twain, but not enough to fill mine. One of these days!
9 yr old pond, 1 ac, 15' deep. RES, YP, GS, FHM (no longer), HBG (going away), SMB, and HSB (only one seen in 5 yrs) Restocked HSB (2020) Have seen one of these. I think that's about all I should put in my little pond. Otter attack in 2023
I am not sure what vegetation would work in your area. I would start by finding out your climate zone and your water PH. Then go to www.aquariumplants.com and find something that will work in your water in your climate. Hybrid water lillies and vallisneria are popular but I have not been able to get either to take hold particularly well. I am going to try some new techniques and see if my luck changes.
Some of us have a current thread going on selecting and getting vegetation going. If you are so inclined, you are welcome to share/hijack that thread with us so we can learn together and maybe keep some of the info together.