git1fiddle, Per your statement:

"I stocked 200 bluegill, 50 redear and 2 lbs of fathead minnows in October. The bass and catfish will go in this spring."

Was this based on a conscious decision or just coincidental with the timing of completion of your pond?

I plan to stock Bream in the Fall, bass the following Spring but that means I have to WAIT. I don't want to but that seems to be the prevailing advice of sources other than this site.

Just curious. Thanks.

- Dave
4.5 acre woodland pond constructed Feb 2011
- began fill Aug 25 - full pool Nov 18
- fish stocked Oct 25: 1200 Shellcracker; 3800 bluegill bream; 500 channel catfish
May 2012: 500 LMB May 2012; 50 "permitted" sterile grass carp.