Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose stocking combo/source help

We're looking to do our first stocking this fall sometime, and I think I have an idea of what we would like to see. Of course, I would like to run it through some of you on here first...(I tend to get long winded, so I will do my best at keeping it somewhat short)

Pond info: Roughly 3/4 acre(surface area), steep banks, 12 ft (average depth), muddy bottom, spring fed, 5 ton closed loop geo-system sunk into one end, inundated with bull frogs & tadpoles.

What I have envisioned: A "put/take" fishery consisting of a combination of FHM, maybe GSH, and HBG as my forage fish; combination of HSB and CC as my main predators. I was looking at these numbers for starters?
FHM- (need recommendations)
GSH- (need recommendations)
HBG- 125-150
HSB- 30-35
CC- 25-30

Three issues: (1)I'm not crazy about bluegills of any sort because I have read stories on here about both species (including hybrids)can overpopulate a BOW. (2)I would like to have a diffuser, but due to the geo-system, I don't think this is a viable option. Will I have problems with winter kill? (3) Haven't been able to nail down a reputable supplier that handles all of the aforementioned species?

Can someone steer me in the right direction?

I like the HBG/CC/HSB combination, especially in ponds 2 acres and under. I would strongly recommend you feed your fish. If you don't, triple the stocking rate of the FHM and GSH I recommend.

I would stock 4 pounds of FHM and 1 pound of GSH as soon as possible. In the fall, you can stock the CC and HSB.

The following spring you can stock the HBG.

As far as a supplier goes, try contacting either or both of these places and see what they offer. However, I am not sure I would take stocking advice from Zett's, from reading their website they seem to want to sell lots of fish rather than sell what is actually going to produce good results.

http://www.buybass.com/
http://www.zettsfish.com/

Both are located in PA.

CJ,
Thanks for your response. I believe this combination has great potential for an entertaining weekend fishery. I had planned to do some type of supplemental feeding. Would I want to start with supplemental feeding as soon as the pond is stocked, or would I want to wait until the fish are a certain size?

While we're on the subject of size, what size CC and HSB should I be stocking the first year? I read somewhere that when stocking a new pond, everything can be started as fingerlings.

I had looked into both of the suppliers you have mentioned here. Shultz's doesn't appear to carry any CC or HSB. Zetts is within 3 hours traveling distance (1 way) and is a manageable drive, but I don't see where they carry HBG. They supposedly carry HSB (although I'm not certain of availability) and are known to carry CC. That being said, they do carry regular strain BG. Is this something I should look into as a substitute for HBG, or will I be asking for over-population issues down the road? I've read on here that the HSB won't necessarily control the BG population due to their smaller mouth size. It was stated that they will do a number on them while they are smaller, but once they reach a certain size, it would be all up to the CC. <-- This is why I am a little leery about BG in general. If there is a reasonable substitute I am all ears.

I would begin feeding immediately. You need to feed utilizing a high protein feed. Feed that is at least 40+% protein. Aquamax 500 is a good size and protein %.

When stocking a new pond, you can stock the smallest size fingerlings available for both CC and HSB. However, I would look at obtaining 6"-8" or even larger fingerlings if fall stocking to ensure I wasn't getting runts of that year class. By fall, good growing HSB should be 6 and really 8"-10" in size. CC should be 6"-8" as well...

I would call both places and not just rely on their websites and inquire as to what they have available. Many places are very anti HBG. It appears Schultz's is in particular. So they may not carry them. HBG are for very specific management purposes, but excel in that area.

If for some reason you cannot obtain HBG, there are a few options. Feed trained YP are one of them. Although different in many ways to HBG, they could still fit a similar role. RES are illegal to stock in PA and are too far north to most likely do well, or I would suggest them. I would not stock pure BG as they would be difficult to manage and most likely stunt with just HSB and CC preying on them in your situation. You could also look into have some redbreast sunfish(RBS) shipped to you. Although, they do not reach as large a size as BG or HBG, they will still push over a pound and pound for pound fight better. Plus, they can be purchased in a very cool golden color morph. They are not overly prolific and are a bit more fusiform meaning the CC and HSB would have an easier time preying on them as compared to BG.

Ideally I would like to find a place within reasonable driving distance for future needs. I see that Zetts will actually box and ship live fish via UPS. Does this seem like a reliable practice?

Through a little more searching I was able to locate a family run operation within 45 minutes. It looks like they carry 3 of the 4 species I would like to stock(FHM, HBG, CC). They also have YP which may come in handy if I chicken out on HBG. Unfortunately they are across the border, into New York state, so they aren't able to offer HSB. Worst case scenario, I guess I could try Zetts for the HSB and have them shipped UPS.

The place I stumbled on:
http://www.fishhavenfarm.com/fhf/Species.html

Lots of hatcheries will ship small fish in pure O2 filled bags. It works well if done right. They will also let you pick them up that way for transport home to the pond.

HSB are probably the most sensitive fish short of trout for shipping.