Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose Adding Adult BG?

Current new pond has YP, RES, HBG, HSB, 10 small SMB,
Still has a population of minnows and there is fry throughout the shallows. Hand feed daily.

There is a chance I may be able to source qty:40 (12-16") SMB in July.
These are pellet trained I believe as well.

Given the advanced size would it make sense to add Adult BG to my population to increase the forage base?

The pond receives heavy fishing pressure so I don't mind managing them if the predators can't keep up. However, I am not sure how much pressure the HSB and SMB would put on them? HSB are mix of now 10" to 16" (qty 50 original stocked but would say with angling pressure / hook kill , maybe 40 left )

My YP are in the 6" to 10" range as well so they could help with the forage base next Spring.

Right now I am thinking to give it some time but was curious on this option. It is a bit different as the BG would not have been stocked originally so no jump start in terms of population before predators.

I put 30 adult BG in my 1/4 acre pond in the late fall / winter of 2015, along with the 100 or so young CNBG that went in Sept 2015. Last year, the BG population exploded. My big CC don't eat enough BG, so I had to put in a few young adult LM bass 5-8" in late April. The FHM and BG population is now under better control, but still too many BG.

Saw some 2-3" YP yesterday, so must have had a successful spawn. Should help when/if the larger SMB are stocked...

If you are looking for more forage for the SMB and HSB you could consider a shiner species or two that would not take over the pond as much as the BG have to potential to do.

because I have had such a heavy predator population I have never experienced having too many bluegill I have to stock large numbers every year. we remove all channel cat i would not recommend stocking them. I would not hesitate to stock bluegill I don't see a downside.

You can give it a try and keep us updated as to the progress of your fishery. 40 Adult SMB are a lot for a 0.7 ac. I suspect after the transfer their WR will decrease. They don't thrive on BG but should stay alive providing the transfer method is ideal. Pellet trained smallies should at least maintain their body condition. Their grow rate will be educational.