Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Can I stock a 5000 square foot pond?

I've had a very small duck pond dug. It's roughly 40x120 and 10 feet deep. I would like to add some bluegills and a few bass so the kids and I can do a little fishing in the summer. My goal is to add to it's size a little each year until I have a 1/2 acre pond. Can I stock a pond this size, and if so, what would the recommended stocking rates be? I was thinking of adding FHM yet this fall and then putting the gills and bass in next year. Is it too late to stock the FHM? I'm in SW Michigan.

Thanks for all the help.

I don't see any reason why you couldn't stock the pond.

Unless you think you'll have trouble finding FHM next spring I don't know of a good reason to put them in now.
I'll let others advise on numbers & when to stock BG & LMB.

Nope, it's not at all too late. I put FHM and GSH in the pond today with 51* water temps. I'd throw in a couple # of FHM and 75 to 100 BG (not hybrids) this Fall if at all possible. I'm interested in what the experts think of what I'm going to say next. Instead of LMB, what about a dozen HSB next Spring if you are going to pellet feed?

How's the duck season going so far?

Duck season is good early in my parts with woodies and some teal. But they're gone early and the mallards don't come until late season, so I'm spending my time bow hunting.

I was leaning towards regular gills so thanks for confirming. I don't have any experience with HSB, how do they grow and fight compared to LMB? Are they any good to eat? How often do you have to pellet feed the HSB? Can I feed the gills and the HSB the same food?

Duck season opened here Saturday and I still have yet to go out. There are LOTS of woodies roosting in the neighbor's small pond, and they fly right over my pond on their trip.

Generally, BG will grow slower then HBG for the first year of so, then they will outpace HBG. HSB will grow quicker and they fight harder than LMB, and make good table fare. Yes, HSB will feed on the same pellets you feed the BG. I have seen better results feeding AquaMax than other feeds that I picked up at Tractor Supply. HSB will not typically spawn in the pond, where LMB will.

In a pond that small, it can be very difficult to manage a BG/LMB fishery. If you are willing to feed, although I am usually not a big fan of HBG in a smaller pond such as this one I would recommend HBG. This is particularly true if you are willing to feed them. A pond with HBG and HSB and a feeding program would be about as easy to manage as they come and would be a great child's fishery. You can even stock some CC if you are looking for an additional fish. HSB are far better fighters than LMB, how they taste is all up to the taste buds. I think they taste good, others don't. HBG and HSB will both eat the same pellets. In a smaller pond such as yours, a HBG/HSB fishery would be my recommendation with some CC thrown in if interested. Obviously, you'll have to stock the HBG and HSB every year or every other years as reproduction will be little to non existent. IMO that is what makes it a great small pond combo. You can control the numbers...

As far as numbers to stock, that all depends on how many fish you wish to harvest for the table.

If it were me doing a kids fishing hole, I would go with fatheads and HBG. HSB and CC can take up a lot of room. Well, maybe 10 CC with them.

So ya got it built. Congratulations NonTypicalCPA!

Not exactly what my original plans were, but its a start. Just spreading the cost out over a few years.