Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Creating the food chain Do I HAVE to feed my fish??

No, feeding with either pellets or supplemental minnow stocking is not necessary. There are at least 2 or 3 species combinations which could be utilized in Michigan that should result in a fishery that can remain fairly balanced given small to middlin' amounts of management (As to the meaning of "management" think fishing and returning some fish, whle removing others. Kind of what one might want a pond for.)

Consider the following combos and let us know which appeals to you. We'll help out with stocking recommendations and a rough idea on how much management (by angling and perhaps other methods, such as seining, trapping, spawn enhancement/degredation) would be needed for it.

BG/LMB is a classical combo that would work fine for you, IF you stock regular (NOT hybrid) BG. Sometimes non-hybrid BG have been reported as being hard to obtain in MI. Given several months head start, you should be able to line them up even if they have to be brought in from out of state.

YP/SMB is another possibility that should be self-sustaining wrt reproduction given minor spawning habitat assurances.

If you are interested in restocking predators in the out years, Walleyes or other more esoteric predators would probably do well in appropriate numbers with a forage base of YP and/or GShiners.

Other forum members can chime in with options for you to consider.