Hello all,
After much reading and learning from the very informative posts on this forum I have a few questions. I have a newly dug 3/4 acre pond in upstate NY. Average depth of 8-10' with a 15' center. There is a boulder propped up in the 15' section around 4-6' below the surface. Placed about a dozen or so pvc trees and 6 additional structures at various depths (mostly between 4-10'). I will be adding plastic pallets stacked with a 1 1/2 - 2 " gap between for minnow spawning as well as making a minnow sanctuary under the 14' dock. I will be adding more structure, a small rock pile/jetty and a floating island at some point this year as well.

I have been advised to stock as follows:
1000-2000 fhm (may2016)
10-20 Chanel cats (may2016)
40 LMB (mid summer 2016)
50-75 crappie
50-75 yellow perch
0 (yes zero) blue gill

These are my questions... From everything I have read on this forum, bluegill seem to be the backbone of a successful large mouth pond. Why would this be any different in the north east? I will be purchasing my fish from Hicklings fish farm in NY. Their website advises against stocking bluegills because of there frequent breeding compared to LMB in this environment. Can this be true or is it a way to get me to restock fhm as often as possible? They also say that the cats will not overpopulated or out compete for food. Does this information sound accurate?

http://www.hicklingsfishfarm.com/bass.htm

http://www.hicklingsfishfarm.com/catfish.htm


Any and all help on this matter and any other advice in general would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.



Last edited by joeambro25; 03/02/16 03:10 PM.