Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Creating the food chain The fish truck arrived

I received my first order of fish this weekend. My pond is currently 1 to 1.5 surface acres (avg 3-4 foot depth), but will eventually be 5 surface acres, with avg depth of 6 feet or more.

I ordered 20 pounds of fathead minnows and 1000 1"-3" coppernose bluegill. I had read about how some fisheries determine the number of fish based on water displacement, and I think I had a pretty reputable guy... But I was amazed how fast it all was, and I have no clue how many fish I may have received.

At 10am, the guy calls and says he's at the entrance to the property. He drives to the pond, backs up, shows me the fish (minnows and bluegill co-mingled), lets me take a couple pictures, hooks up a 6" PVC pipe to the live well in the truck, dumps his load (which took no more than 30 seconds), and leaves. I swear to you that this took no more than 4 minutes from when I shook his hand -- digital camera timestamps tell no lies.

Is this normal?

That sounds and looks pretty normal to me, Capt. C.

Did you see the thread where some of the pro's talked on how they estimate/approximate/measure fish numbers for stocking?

Did he take any water temps before he put them in? The CNBG looks normal size and condition. I have not had fish mixed in one tank other than BG/RES which come mixed in the 2in size nor has pipe deployment been used. That does not mean that those are unsound practices. Did the fish seem to swim off ok and I assume you have seen no die off?

CC,

Yes, it is normal to use the pipe method for deployment and matches my experience as far as how quick the operation really is. If there was any appreciable temperature gradient between the holding tanks and your pond water, he normally would add pond water to the tanks until temps were within tolerance.

Its always exciting but also happens so fast that invited guests sometimes say "Is that all there is to it?"

Thanks. They did not take a temperature reading, but the fishery is within 30-45 minutes. They figured they *knew* what would work for me, temperature-wise. There was no die-off immediately, as the fish took off like a bat out of hell, looking pretty healthy. The next day there were a dozen or so floaters, but nothing too bad.

My son and his friend were going to watch the process, but by the time they arrived, they were too late. Oh well, I guess I'll have to buy more fish!

Hey, Cap'n....great news...good to hear.
I still laugh when I think about you complainin' about handling the tractor tires to create structure....then post a pic of one of the kids rolling it into place (I think I see one or two of 'em peeking up in the pic.....the tires). I'm still wrestling with mine.
I'm looking forward to the big panaorama pic of a full 5 ac pond...betcha you too.

Cap'n C
I had my first fish delivered this last Saturday too. The guy that showed up at my place acclimated the CNBG and FH with water from my pond via a small gas pwoered pump and then turned them out the same way that your guy did through a pipe. Happened pretty darn fast.

Who stocked your pond? I went with Overton Fisheries out of Buffalo, TX. They do great work.

Bass and catfish comin late next month for me!!!!

Oh and the fish were doin' good when they hit the water. Within minutes the FH and BG were hitting bugs on the service. Now that was cool!!