I stocked my 1 1/2ac pond with fatheads when the water hit 5ft in mid March 2 years ago. I added shiners in early April only due to saving money after my building expense. Bass, hyb. gills,cats and crappie came in late July. I add fatheads and shiners (more shiners than fatheads)every spring and fall. The reason for the shiners more than fatheads is due to me trying to get big LMB. Anywhere you look around my cover, dock and bank grass you will find thousands? of small feeder fish. If you have cover and spend the money on feeders I feel you can start right away on stocking you fish. No matter what you decide you must replenish the food chain if you don`t want to waite.