Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Creating the food chain How to get the new pond started

I have been requesting info on correcting my older 2 acre pond on another thread, but just wanted to get some opinions on my new little pond. It is just full, 1/3 acre. Dug less than 2 weeks ago, 7 ft deep, and filled in this short time. Water is clear greenish color, lots of shade. Have added some structure. THe shape of the bottom is pretty flat and the sides are steep with no shallows yet, but I am going to raise the dam about a foot which will give me a good sized area that will be a foot or so deep to help give some cover. Now, the question is, how to stock, and when. I want to establish it as a bass nursery for my larger pond, then in a couple years convert it to a trophy BG pond. I don't mind spending some $ to get it up and running, but do not want to start stocking if the water needs to stand a while to get it ready to support fish. I am in the south, but the water will be a little cooler than normal due to the spring. Any comments as to when, how many and ratios of fish will be greatly appreciated.

I generally recommend patience. However, if the water is healthy looking, you are probably OK. Put some minnows in a minnow bucket and see how they do. Keep an eye on them to see if they are swimming naturally or coming to the top for air.

Jimmy, it's standard to stock even before a pond is fully filled; many pond owners on here who have great ponds did so, and it's also routinely recommended by state DNRs. TWRA for instance will stock a new pond that is 2/3 full.

I will do the minnow thing and then go from there! Thanks. Today I dug out a bit of clay from one bank and transferred it to the spillway with my backhoe/front end loader, in order to raise the water level a bit. This will give me some nice shallows where the spring runs in to the pond.

Yep Walt is right we do it as small as 1/3 full if it has soem 6 feet water to avoid bird predation. It depends on what you got and fuutre water coming in. I suggest rate of 2,000 fhm/acre then 250 4-5 inch bg/acre. This will ensure lots of good spawning next yr, also if setup a feeder it will increase growth even more and of course you could fertilize to aid in bg food. Easy to convert as you know to trophy BG by adding predatros later on. Good luck and let us know if you want some fish. I was in middel GA last night until about 1 am on fish Del (don't ask, tough night)