Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose can you...

I am not totally sure about my exact pond size since it was there when I bought the house I would call it a smaller one) but I was wondering if it is possible to have Brown Bullhead and Chain Pickerel together in the same pond (note the CP are already present and have been so for a while). Also is it possible to introduce Smallmouth Bass to a pond containing Chain Pickerel. Any help would be great

Welcome to the forum! If you go here you should be able to measure your pond if it has been there for a few years.

The short answer is yes, but will the pond support the species of fish that you want? (depth, temp, other species of fish in the pond, etc.) Yes, you can add smallies, but if you already have CP in there, you will need to stock them at an advanced size so the stockers can avoid predation. If there are any LMB in the pond, then you have to take into consideration the size of the LMB, and realize that SMB won't normally establish a viable population. It'd be more of a "put n take" SMB fishery.

reason for wanting to stock BBH??

They like to take over ponds, and there flesh is a favorite feeding place for yellow and white grubs.

But they dont hurt people once cooked.

No LMB in Pond. What size Smallmouth Bass should I stock to avoid them getting gobbled right up as soon as I put them in? is 10 inches sufficient? I would like to try Brown Bullhead because I enjoy catching them and eating them and also to add a little variety to the pond.

I would think 10" SMB would be plenty big unless the CP are huge. How big are the largest ones (CP)?

Reconsider adding BBH and think about yellow perch and or redear sunfish RES. RES will not overpopulate like BBH. Over the long term IMO the YP will do better for you than the BBH esp if you have CP and SMB as predators. If you are not satisfied with the YP/RES after 3-5 yrs then add the BBH.