Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose New pond stocking

I just completed a 1/3 acre pond at a fish camp in Louisiana and was wondering what the best route to go with stocking it would be. It seems too small to try to grow large bass in it, but growing large bluegill varieties sound reasonable. Would SMB be a viable option and should I have a few LMB to maintain BG populations? Anyway, the pond is nothing but clean water now and I plan to hit it with some fertilizer next week. Any recommendations on varieties, #'s, and timeline would be great.

RH,

Bluegill would be a wonderful choice. Probably just sticking with LMB to keep the bluegill in check would be adequate. In that size pond I wouldn't try to mix SMB and LMB. The LMB will win out. You can certainly add some Red Eared Sunfish, as they won't compete with the bluegill or bass. And a few channel catfish wouldn't hurt either.

I'm sure somebody will come along to suggest numbers. Usually in a new pond like this, it is recommended that you start out with the bluegill, the red eared sunfish, and some forage fish like fat head minnows. Let them get well established, then the following season, drop in the bass. If you add channel catfish, don't put in too many. For that size pond, think about 10-15 per year, if you pull that many out each year. The catfish will be put-and-take.

RH,

What are your goals for this pond?

RH, give the water a little time before hitting it with fertilizer. You may not need it and too much can be disastrous.

No matter what your ultimate stocking plan turns out to be, you can send a water sample to TAMU for analysis.

Since you say you have just finished it, give Mama Nature a little time to work on the water.