Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Creating the food chain What is best for new pond in South Georgia

I have a new constructed 3.5 acre pond here in southern georgia. How many and what species of minnows do I need to stock and when. Pond was just completed, so am waiting to fill up. Planning on stocking bluegill this fall and bass next spring. Any help would be appreciated.

Your goals?

I like GSH starting a pond that will emphasize on big bass, not so if managing for big BG. FHM are an easy pick for initial forage either way.

Charlie, Welcome to Pond Boss!!!

Gambusia are an option in your climate as well.

Personally, I would stock the forage and bluegill this spring to give them a chance to grow and if they are old/big enough, to spawn. Then put in the bass in the fall. You should have plenty of water by spring.

Again, welcome! We're glad you joined us.



Theo, that is one Mod demerit for failure to welcome! Two if it wasn't so early.

Yea Rainman, it's his forth post, wake up already, heck I welcomed Charlie way back in... Oops, I just realized that you never received a proper Pond Boss welcome.

Hi Charlie, welcome to Pond Boss, we're glad you found us!

Looking to grow some big bass and bluegill. pond is from 18-20 at damn to 3 foot and pond edges.

Welcome Charlie, no matter how many posts you've made.

JHAP was busy so someone had to give you a hard time! Besides, I saw that you had responded to his very first post, and I think his second too and NONE of us offered a welcome.

Sorry for hijacking your thread Charlie. BTW Theo says welcome too!......now

Oh, the shame.

So, Charlie, back to your original question.....

Fatheads can go in anytime, and will support just about any goal; IIRC they'll start multiplying when water temps get into the 60's, and will provide good forage for your small bass and bluegills.

If you're really serious about the big bass, you should definitely get a good BG population going this spring; you're going to spend a lot of time in the future trying to sustain and support your forage base to keep the green carp happy and satiated. Getting a really good population established early, and getting some big breeding BG that can't be eaten by your bass for a couple years, will help.

Look at some of the older threads on golden shiners, a lot of good info there, and post back if you have specific questions.

One possibility since this is a brand new pond-if you really decide you want shiners, stocking them exclusively with either fry from Anderson's or a bunch of really big breeders this spring might give them a running starrt. You could add BG a little later and, if you put some larger fish in, perhaps get a spawn or two in this year.

Greg Grimes, who posts here regularly, might not be too far from you and would be a truly excellent resource.



Theo has some experience with golden shiners as forage

Charlie,

First and foremost, welcome to Pond Boss!

Check out the thread, http://www.pondboss.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=145899#Post145899

Lists all species of forage fish one can use in a pond. So you know what the options are...

If you have access to wild lake chubsuckers, I would strongly consider catching some and putting them in your lake.

I am sure many others will give you their advise as well.