If you can't afford to buy fish from a known hatchery with quality fish then and only then I would consider taking state fish for a first stocking. You only get one chance to do a first stocking of a pond unless you are starting over. Studies show that the first fish stocked into an empty pond grow the fastest, are the ones to become the trophies of the pond and set the genetic quality standard. They set the entire base of the fish community until you renovate the pond (start over). With that in mind I can't imagine doing a first stocking with tiny fish of unknown quality unless that was my only choice. Sorry Greg I have to disagree.