Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose In what order to stock my fish?

As mentioned in an earlier post I have between a 1/3 and 1/2 acre pond that was built this spring. I've put 4 pounds of FHM in the pond in April and as it's starting to settle out I'm seeing a bunch FHM YOY and tadpoles and frogs in the pond. I'm slowly working on getting grass growing around the pond, but don't expect for a good stand of grass to happen until next Spring. I need about 3 feet of water before I'm full. Located in Central Ohio.

I'm wondering if I should do any additional stocking this fall and if so, what I should stock?

Pond goal is to use it for swimming, and a bass and blue gill pond. I have no interest in CC.

I'd suggest 400-800, 3-4" BG and 100 Redear Sunfish (any size) next spring and then 20-40, 4-6" LMB next fall. If you like a "balance", stock either the high or low numbers of BG and LMB suggested....for larger LMB, stock the high number on BG and low number on LMG....for bigger BG (but not many), stock lower BG number and high LMB number....After about 3 years start culling about 25 pounds of smaller (10-14") or skinny LMB to prevent LMB overpopulation

Regardless on the direction you choose for numbers and kinds of fish, use this year to work on forage and habitat then stock next year.

Consider scuds, crawdads, glass shrimp (PK shrimp) in addition to your FHM's.