Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose Putting fish in the pond

Well thanks for all the help. We put 1500 CNBG in the pond two days ago, I have a couple questions now. 3/4 acre, aireated pond. How long do i wait to start feeding and how much? I bought some (AM400 Grower) and what other fish should i put in? I plan on putting in LMB next spring, or should i put them in sooner?

I'm posting pictures of the fish and some of the welcoming committee. Thanks

One of the best benefits of owning a pond and managing it IMO...getting kids involved. Looks like a very happy group! Congrats on the stocking.

Thanks, they are excited. Can't wait to see them enjoying it, and my old parents who also love to fish but can't get in the boat anymore

Hows your gumbo? Done any pond side yet? Got some friends I duck hunt and fish with in south LA. St Landry parish. Among other things, taught me how to make sausage and chicken gumbo. My MN buddies think its the best thing since air. I've transplanted a lot of those Cajun traditions pond side here in MN.

Thats awesome, I'm in St.Mary Parish. Look me up when you come down

Any input please

Start feeding the CNBG now. Small amounts at the same time each day while they get use to it. I would add a few RES to the mix.

What are your goals for the pond? Assuming a goal of a balanced pond put in 20 6 inch LMB late fall 12 .

Ewest, I Put a little feed yesterday inside a floating ring, and watched for a little while and didn't see a fish. I realize they are small and don't know anything about feed. But i guess they will find it. Right?
and how many RES should i add? My goal is for big CNBG and some nice LMB. Thanks

They were raised on feed. Try different places to feed. You're really asking small fish to find you in a new environment. Over time, they will do it but maybe not just yet.

Hey Bayouhunter,

Feeding will take a bit of time. Just keep putting it out there in the same spot same time. Mine took about 3 weeks of 2 small feedings a day before they started hitting it good. I had my feeder set to one second at first. Now I have it set to 2 seconds twice a day. 8AM and 7:30 PM. They are hamering it now. 1500 CNBG in a 3/4 acre pond seems a bit high to me. Once they all start spawning your going have a LOT of fish on your hands. Unless you already have something else in there to eat some of them?? If you don't I would not wait to long to put some bass in there. Maybe this fall. About 25 of them. I would put at least 75 to 150 RES in that pond. I have a 1 acre pond and I put 150 in mine and they have done a great job keeping it cleaned up from parasites and such, but I did not put 1500 CNBG in my pond either? Your numbers maybe should have been more like 600 to 800 CNBG and 150 to 200 RES. Let's wait and see if Ewest has anything more input here I am no expert, so if I have said anything wrong hopefully he will correct me! Eric?

Thanks guys, the only reason i put that many was because both of the hatcheries down here told me to put 2,000 CNBG. I cut it back a bit because of everything i was reading here. they also told me to add 200 to 300 bass now. kinda don't know what to do.(CONFUSED)

That is way too many LMB for your pond and goal. I would not put in more than 50 if using 2 inch stockers.

I would use less (20) larger fish in the fall. Here is some info from a prior post.

By using larger LMB you are reducing the risk that a larger #/% of those stocked will live and reproduce. For example if you stock only 20 8 in LMB in fall that is the max that can reproduce the first year. If on the other hand you stock 200 2 in LMB now and 100 of them live to age 1 rather than 20 then you will have 5 times as many LMB reproduce the first time. Also those extra LMB for the summer will eat up a bunch of forage (yoy BG). Keeping those first BG alive for only a few mths makes a huge difference in total BG pounds of forage. Another option is to stock some adult BG now which can really jump start the forage. That would IMO depend on how many 4 inch BG you have now. The old stocking advice of 1000 BG to 100 LMB per acre has been shown to lead to LMB crowding much quicker. Best advice now is 3000 BG and 100 LMB for balance that may last up to 3 times as long. But it depends on the lake/area in question.

I'd put in 200 RES, about the same size as the CNBG or larger if available. I like ewest's advice on the LMB too.

Ok, the CNBG i put in were about 1" to 2" long so i'm going to add the RES now and then the LMB in the fall, Thank you all! Danny