I recently moved into a new home that sits on 13 acres and I had two old ponds dug out after about 10 years of them sitting overgrown with weeds and a broken bank. I now need to create a healthy pond with structures, fish, and so forth.
I have been reading this site for weeks but I have an atypical situation that I cant seem to find the answers for. My ponds are both about 40ft wide and 80 ft long (each, they are right next to each other). They are each about 1/10 of an acre surface area and about 8 ft deep. They have a pipe right below the water surface where water can travel between the two ponds and small fish could too. I can block this off if I would like.
I do not eat fish (and there for no fish will be removed for eating) but I would like a healthy pond that allows me and my son to fish when we would like. I would like to have bluegills or sunfish in the pond along with large mouth basses. I would like to have a few catfish too I guess if I can get them without muddying up the water. My purpose of the two ponds is to have the ability to fish for fun... and to attract wildlife.
This brings me to my questions... What should I place in the pond first and can I add everything now. Here is my thought, I was planning on adding minnows of some sort (on here I read alot about fathead minnows) for food. Can I add the minnows from the local creeks and rivers in my area (Huntington WV)? Next, I figure bluegills are needed for LMB, can I just catch some from local waters and place them in there? And then what about large fish such as LMB.
I have access to lots of creeks, streams, rivers, and most importantly, lots of family members who have old farm ponds with lots of minnows, bass, bluegills, catfish, ect. I would like to stock the pond so it can sustain itself in the fish populations. I would like to add large 3+ lb LMB soon so I can fish them this summer. I am unsure how many I should add but would like atleast 10 or so. I can add as many adult bluegills/sunfish as I should too. Is there any specific minnows and bluegills I should or shouldn't add. I would like to be able to stock using free sources, not a hatchery but I can buy from a hatchery if need be.
Any helpful suggestions or comments would be nice to have. I know I am a little impatient but I figure a handful of bass should not eat all of the adult BGs and all of the BGs should not eat all of the minnows.
