Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose Additional Stocking for HBG and CC pond.

I have a .4 acre pond that I just stocked with 150 CC and 400 HBG a month ago. I will be feeding them daily. I mainly want this pond to be fun for kids. We'll probably eat a few CC here and there and mainly catch the HBG just for fun. Most of the stocking info I have read says that I need some LMB to control the HBG offspring. Is that necessary or will the CC help with that? I thought about HSB but I don't know any ponds here in South Arkansas that are stocked with those. So I guess the main question is, what else should I stock in the pond.

CC alone would likely not control HBG reproduction. I believe HSB would be an excellent addition to the pond. Stocking 10-15 per year would add an additional bonus fish that would also help control HBG reproduction. I would work at limiting aquatic vegetation and keep cover to a minimum to help your predators feed on the HBG offspring. I would avoid LMB if possible. They can become a management nightmare with their tendency to over reproduce. You could look at stocking a lone LMB which can assist the CC and HSB in controlling the HBG reproduction. Stock one in the 6-8 inch range and remove and replace it when it gets over 14".

Add predators. I also did not want LMB. I had a spawn so bad I was considering starting over. Not sure if some regular BG was mixed because I had ton of spawn. After consulting with forum I added SMB and already had HSB. The SMB seemed to have taken care of problem for now. The CC didn't do much for me being full of AquaMax. I also lowered the water level to leave them less places to hide. Now working on getting a backhoe to make some renovations on opposite side of dam. My builder among other problems left too many shallow spots for spawing. I plan on scooping out shallow areas on front of pond to a deeper slop. Still have not chimmed in on that one in with the guys yet to make sure I'm not making mistake. Good luck. Here is my thread on that problem.

http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Main=26261&Number=336051#Post336051

You can stock CC:HBG ratio of 1:1.5 per acre and another predator added by few owners depending on water quality. LMB or HSB are good options. HBG will get to 3/4 of a pound quickly.

Have you thought of stocking FHM and RE?