Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose Yet another small pond thread...

You should definately keep track of fish harvested and when the number harvested gets near the 50% mark then I would restock. Once a year restocking keeps several size classes of panfish present. Sometimes restocking of HSB &/or CC does not need to be annually depending on harvest rates.
Numbers. This will depend on how many you harvest and how much you or regularly you feed the fish. You do not have to feed the fish in a 1/2 ac pond, although feeding results in growing at least 3-5 times more fish and bigger average sizes. Keep in mind that the more you feed the more weed problems and lower water qualtiy you will have due to increased fertility from all the food inputs. I suggest that you start out slow and increase feeding and numbers after the sedond harvest season is completed. This will give you a little better understanding of what is going on in the pond in regards to plant growth and fish numbers.

For starters I would plan to feed no more than 50 lbs of fish pellets in yr one and maybe 100 lbs pellets in year two. I would add food 3-6 times per week. Maybe 2 cups to a quart each time. Since you have a small pond I would not use the cheaper fish food (32%) protein. I would use the Aquamax Carnivore food (bluebag). Start with the appropriate size pellet for your fish size. Fish farm where you get your fish will have a good pellet size suggestion. It is a little more expensive, but fish IMO grow a little better and will definately eat is a little better which will excite the kids and you!. Don't forget when using the feeding fish method it is pretty important to operate aeration to help maintain better water quality. It is not perfect but it helps.

It would be useful to know about how many fish you would like to harvest / yr; numbers of Small-low (25-40) medium (50-75) or large (80-125). Most of this harvest will be the panfish HBG/BG. I will let someone from TX area suggest good numbers to begin with. I know what I would do in OH. IF it was me I would start with two sizes of panfish (50:50) and smaller sizes of predators. Two sizes of panfish will provide quicker angling opportunities and not add a lot to the cost.