Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose 1/4 acre pond expectations

Welcome! You've had some good answers from some of the top experts on the site (IMO). They didn't address hatchery bought vs. catch and transfer. I don't know what the legalities are in Ohio. A while back (in Indiana) I was told that if I took and stocked fish from public waters, then the public could fish the pond. I don't know if it's true or not, but I'm surely not putting up a sigh saying "public invited"!

Transferring fish in my opinion:
Pros:
1) Cheap
2) You can get large fish
3) Fish caught locally will surely be acclimated to the local weather conditions.

Cons:
1) Being able to positively identify the fish. Could possibly be a type of hybrid.
2) Transferring a disease or parasite to the pond
3) Transferring unwanted fish
4) Transferring unwanted, undesirable pond weeds.
5) Getting enough of a certain species and sex.
6) Starting out with fish that could be hook shy.