Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose Quantity of fish to stock in new pond?

Hi! I'm finding conflicting recommendations for quantity of fish to stock and could use some advice. I don't want to keep bugging poor Bob, ha. We built a 1.2 acre pond with some fun habitat on the bottom and one shallow end for kids to poke around in. It's on 40 acres that we don't live on, so it belongs to the wildlife most of the time. As soon as water depth reaches around 7' we'll give the go ahead for the fish.

How many fathead minnows?
How many bluegill?

We'll put largemouth bass in fall of next year. Thanks so much for your help!!!

What are your goals for the pond ? Fish populations come in all types and descriptions depending on what the owner has for goals. As a result stocking recommendations vary widely based on both goals and also location (including the nature of the pond). Tell us what you want and we can collectively tell you how. Don't guess on this one as it can make for large management headaches down the road.

Hi! Thanks for replying.

We need pond life that can take care of itself pretty much, for the long term, as we don't live on the property. It will be fished by families/children and surely will also be a habitat for wildlife. We have a 7 acre forest that touches one end of pond. Pond is set in a valley and will fill from a large watershed. Hills around are being treated for wild parsnip; otherwise they are CRP. Will plant prarie grass in a few years. We need to plant trees around the pond. No shade yet except at forest end which is shallow. We like bass, bluegill...and we enjoy frogs (not to eat!) very much. Thanks!