Hi CJBS2003:
I am definably now set up to stock minnows on Saturday. I was thinking this thing through to be sure it was properly planned and organized and realized I was still uncertain on a couple of matters:
I understand that the cinderblock and tile will be good spawning structure for the fatheads, but now realize that I have no idea as to what to supply in terms of structure for the Banded Killifish or the GSH to spawn effectively. I presently plan on putting the cinderblock and tile in what will be 12 to 18 inches of water with about 6 inches minimum water above the structure top.
Since the CC are tunnel nesters what about putting one or two flue liners or tile pipes in three to four feet of water with one end blocked? This also raises the issue of spawning areas for the gamefish? The bottom of the pond will be either clay or shale with more clay area than shale do I need to add any thing else at this point?
The other item was what time in the fall to stock the BG and RES, September? and about late April or May next year for the LMB and CC?
I currently don't plan on feeding. But considering the wooded nature of 2/3 of the pond bank I wonder if I should not consider aeration for aerobic digestion of leaves which will be almost impossible to keep out of the pond; the idea here would be to prevent the build up of a large amount of organic muck "loonshit" on the pond bottom in a few years. Not to mention the other obvious benefits of oxygenation and circulation.
Somebody should have warned me how addictive this pond stuff is; I am already thinking about building another pond and possibly experimentally stocking it with native fish maybe even chain pickerel instead of bass etc in a few years (LOL)
