Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose same ole question

My newly filled one acre pond is in dire need of some fish. I have read the posts for hours and last night actually almost fell asleep. My question is should I wait on the predator fish or not. Dunn's says put them all in at once but everything I read until I talked to them said let the fatheads have a spawn before placing any predator fish. Thoughts?

This will be more of a kid fishing pond with a LMB pond below this one. I wouldn't mind starting some in this one to be growing and transplanting them when the lower pond is reclaimed.

Any problems with HBG, CC, FH minnows, and coppernose per recommended stocking rates?

No problem with stocking them. Heck, I would also let the coppernose spawn a couple of times before I put in LMB.

Regarding predator stocking advice from Dunns as versus here? We don't sell fish.

Why HBG? I don't see their value in the mix.

Others chime in: Are CNBG recommended as far North as OK City? Would native BG do as well or better?

You can put small stocker HBG, CC and CNBG in at the same time as adult FH. They will all be about 2in. long.

You should think about and be sure you want to put HBG and CNBG in the same pond. I would not do that. It is one thing to manage through that situation but another to create it on purpose. They don't do well together for a number of reasons both genetic and competitive.

The FH , HBG and CC is a common approach to a put and take fishery. The idea being that you put them in , feed them to eating size and catch them out. Then you replace them with new fish and repeat.

If you elect to use CNBG you will need a predator in addition to CC to control the CNBG's high reproduction rates.

Stocking rates depend on the goal. For example in a BG/LMB pond the stocking rate for BG is higher than for HBG in a put and take pond. Different goals, different rates.

Tell us what you want (goals). Then stocking recommendations will follow.

Dave CNBG are at about their northern limit at the Okla/Kan border. Ok City will work but maybe not as good as regular BG. If they are from Dunn's they are the Ark variety of CNBG and they may be more cold tolerant , we just don't know.

So...I think I will pass on the CNBG. I will go with FH's, HBG, CC. Do I need grass carp now or wait until it is a problem? OK to add Redear Bream for worm control? Any recommendations on feeders from the bank. I didn't get a dock built before it filled. Thanks again guys.

I missed the fact that the LMB were in a pond below this one.

Yeah, I like Redears for pest control.

Lots of recommendations on different feeders here. Sweeney and Stren seem to be the favorites.

You will have to run feeders for the main food source with only fatheads for forage.

I would wait on grass carp uintil you have something for them to eat. In 2 of my 3 ponds, I have never developed a weed problem.

Thanks Dave, will wait on the carp. LMB is in the plans for next on the lower pond. it has been drained. A summer project awaits me to reclaim this 2.5 acre pond. I got a lot of help on digging my first 1 acre pond. Took all summer. Buying bigger equipment for the lower pond. I need to post pics on my first pond which is the on being stocked. Thanks again, Craig

I would advise you to wait to put in LMB at least till the fall. I have seen many people put in everything at once, and have alot of problems with the bass eating all the minnows from the start. Once you bass start that, then you are just buying expensive bass food. The minnows will have a hard time getting started after that. I have delivered minnows to ponds with bass in them and you could see the bass just eating them up almost as fast as they come off the truck. The bad thing about waiting is just the wait.

Grass carp are very good at what they do while small, but the bigger they get, the less veggies they eat. They seem to like to eat fish food more the older they get. Only get some if you need them. You could put some in now, but by the time the green stuff grows, they may be too big and don't want to eat it.

Enjoy your pond.

Kodiak

Thanks guys. Will wait on the bass AND the carp....