Trider - Learning is good.
The marsh-wetland will be a tremendous help in providing refugia and production supply of small fish of all species to the pond. Shiners and FH are prolific. I reccommend both speices in your situation. I could recommend additional species but they are not available from hatcheries. The depth and openness of the connected marsh will determine how well fish can navigate through it and thrive. If the marsh is completely clogged, choked, and congested with plants the refugia benefit will be reduced based on fish's "navagitability". The marsh will probably be the main reason your pond is successful.
From your questions in another forum topic - mosquito fish will probably not do well in your situation; you're too far north for good winter survival of mosquito fish - Gambusia - they are a more southern speices. If you are very lucky a few may survive MI's harsh winters each year - but doubtful. If the pond builder has a backhoe at the site ask him to dip out a small deeper (3'-5' deep) hole in the marsh if it already does not have one. An area around 10x10 or 10x30 would be good. This would provide marsh habitat fish a small winter refuge and some open spaces for the open water season. What is the depths of the marsh?
You will not need to feed pellets and if you do not allow too many predators that would tend to overeat what food is available the fishery will remain in a relative balance where proper growth occurs. Obviously, if you do not have or allow very many predators the forage fish base will keep up to the consumption rate.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 12/22/07 10:55 PM.
