We previously stocked it with 200 Rainbows and had a 4 year growing season. We fished out the last of them last year with the last dozen on so getting to 7-9 pounds and upwards of 28 inches. We fed them well. We found our temps in mid summer were on the edge yet we played some tricks to keeping the water temp down below 68 F. We have an artesian well that flows 15-20 gph and have another well with a pump we turned on that could add another 10-12 gph. In addition, we have an aerator that we automatically turned on at night when the temps got 60 or below to churn the water and help cool the pond with the noght cold temps. All in all we got through 4 years and had a successful growing process.
Trout were great yet they ate alot and we had to manage the environment tightly. Since we do not live at the property we only got up there every 2-3 weeks or so.
With this new mix, we hope to have a lower maintenance situation, run the aerator and pump a lot less and if the trout make it through then great if not we will fish out a bunch by July 4th anyway and try to grow the HBG's big.
PS. We intend to source our fish from the Fish Farm in Harrison.
Last edited by pebaugh; 03/16/11 04:25 PM.
