Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Stocking suggestions

Well, the pond is finally full and it's time to put some fish in it. It is .5 acres and 8 foot deep in the center. Very little structure due to all the rain we got right after it was dug. The water is still muddy and will most likely require treatment to clear.

I am really considering stocking with Georgia Giants and Channel Catfish. Would also like to put some bass in it eventually. I plan on feeding some but mostly just for entertainment. I'm not planning on aerating the pond either.

Here are a few pics.







I have no real "goals" in mind. Just a pond that I can catch a few fish out of for a fish fry and of course letting the kids have some fun.

Please give me some suggestions at stocking rates and such as well as any other suggestions at what I may need to do.

Thanks

KP, that's a nice-looking pond! Looks like you've planned for a dock and a couple of islands - If I've seen correctly from your pics.

Can't give you much advice - being from the north. But good luck, it looks really nice.

Keith,

I think hybrid BG and CC's are a combo that would be hard to beat for a .5a pond. You'll have to feed, of course, and re-stock periodically. Be sure to stock gambusia. They reproduce like crazy down here, and they're a small but dependable free food source.

Keith read this for a basis of a HBG pond like you described. Then decide if that is what you want. I would personally go with HBG rather than GG based on the availability of peer reviewed info on HBG and none on GG.

http://msucares.com/wildfish/fisheries/farmpond/building/stocking4.html

Keith, call or go to your county agent's office to get the booklet "Management of Recreational and Farm Ponds in Louisiana". The county agent can also evaluate your water quality and offer advice on additives you might need. Unless your pond is deep (15+ feet) you will probably want to fertilize in an attempt to avoid vegetation growing from the bottom that can make your pond unfishable. Also, search this site for creative underwater structure ideas.

The LSU Extension Service recommends the following for a half acre pond:
If fertilized, 500 bluegill, 50 bass and 50 catfish
or 350 bluegill, 150 redear, 50 bass and 50 catfish.
Half those numbers if unfertilized.

In the booklet is also a recommendation for stocking a bream-bass pond as well as for a catfish-hybrid bream combination and for a catfish only stocking. Personally, I would not stock the catfish-hybrid bream combo or stock a catfish only pond.

I have been unsuccessfully trying to locate a near-by source for threadfin shad which I would happily stock. If you are able to find a source, please let me know about it.

Nice pond, Keith!

Dudley good to have you posting. Keith that is good advice. Here is a link to the book Dudley mentioned.

http://www.lsuagcenter.com/NR/rdonlyres/...3FarmPonds2.pdf

Thanks, Eric. That link was a smooth move.

Keith, you might also want to stock two or three pounds of fathead minnows to get them established a few months before stocking the predators.

I was planning on stocking some forage fish now and stocking the bream/catfish in the spring.