Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose Stocking New Pond

Goldenpond, I would agree that do not stock Pike in a small pond unless that�s all you want there in a very short order. One of the problems that you got when you asked the radio show hosted by fishermen is that you got an answer of what people would like in a pond for fishing, not what is a best fit for that pond or what plays and lives well together.

They also stated no fathead, and I assume they didn�t want that because it provides a natural forage fish and they thought it would lessen their chances of catching fish if there was a good natural base for the food chain.

You will see this advise over and over again on here and I can't stress it enough. You decide what you want to fish for. Also decide if you are building a trophy fish type fishery or a general fishery for kids and alike. Ther eare different approaches and different mixes for either approach. Determine if the pond will support that mix and determine if you are going to do a put and take effort or if you want to try and rely on natural reproduction ( some species will not do that well in a pond )

Once you have decided the mix, then start building the eco system. Start with the basics and don't put anything in until you have an algae bloom. The add the forage fish ( fatheads, shiners, ...etc ) Give them time to establish a good population as well as letting your pond establish good cover for the forage fish prior to adding the next rung up the food chain. This can be as little as a few months or as long as a year. ( I waited 6 months prior to adding perch to my fathead and crayfish ) If you are going to go with a bluegill, LMB mix or like me a perch SMB mix add the perch or bluegill next but give them a season to establish. Then add the top of the food chain after that.

I know it seams like allot of time, but the time spent up front building a sustainable eco system and food chain will pay off ten fold as you go further in time. I have not yet put my SMB in my pond yet but I have seen the payoff with a health pond and a perch and fathead population that will help support the SMB when they are introduced. Truth be told that when doing it this way it also is more enjoyable to see the eco system that you worked on come together and work in harmony. I have truly enjoyed the eco system building experience more than the fishing one.

Good luck and if you want to know numbers of different mixes of fish then I would say look at a few of the threads and you will find some great suggestions there. The best advise I can give you though is to think like a piece of the food chain and a pond builder and not like a fisherman ( aka the radio show guys ) and you will end up with something that will provide great joy in many ways for years to come.