Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Creating the food chain goldfish?

Delayed answer.....oops.
I never use goldfish in a bass/bluegill pond. While diversity of forage is an excellent idea trying to raise large bass, goldfish aren't a good choice. In a hatchery, where we try to maintain broodfish, or increase sizes of bass in a totally controlled environment, goldfish are excellent. They are cheap, hearty, easy to get. That converts to meat for a bass. But, in a "wild" environment, where we want to grow a balance of fish, goldfish don't fit the mold. Shad? Maybe so, maybe no. Golden shiners? Same story. Goldfish grow too large, and reproduce too readily....and their babies are never gold in the beginning. Eventually, if bass don't eradicate them, you wind up with a population of one to two pound fish that needs attention.