Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose New pond stocking tips

Steve, here are my recommendations for stocking a Midwest quality BG pond, 1/2 acre in size.

Spring 2009: your planned 10 lbs of FHM, plus 200 small (2"-3") fingerling BG and 50 small fingerling RES. If you like good BG fishing/eating, you will also like having the Redears in the pond. Since you will be feeding, the BG should take advantage of the feed in the pond's first year. The Fatheads will most likely eat pellets too, adding to their size & numbers.

Fall 2009 or Spring 2010: 100 small fingerling LMB (4" or so, 2009 YOY LMB from your fish supplier) and a small (25-50) number of CC (up to 9" or so in size).

If you are interested in other fish species, there are several that could be integrated into your pond. Given the presence of premier pond spawners & predators in the BG & LMB, most other species would be kind of a sideline. Let us know if there are any you are specifically interested in, and we can give our advice/opinions.