Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose raising perch

A few of us are raising yellow perch. I am working on a magazine article about raising perch in small ponds.

Length of time to market size is dependant on number of days where the water temp is above 55 degrees. Perch grow best at 68 to 74 degrees F. Depending on how far north into Canada you are will depend on how long it will take for growth to 8" in an outdoor pond. From egg to 8" fish will take about 2.5 to 3 years for your relative region. But if you start with some 4" to 6" perch in the spring you might get some 8" females by the late fall if they can feed heavily on an unlimited food source. In your area, you will do real good to get one inch growth per year after 8".

They are very tolerant of low oxygen levels when other fish are dying. Overwinter better than many other fish. However they do need oxygen; higher levels of 4 to 6 ppm or greater are best for growth.