Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Creating the food chain Stocking minnows ??

Hi Bricky

I think you are underestimating the fecundity of the FHM. I would suggest adding fish after you've allowed your forage to become established and reproduce a few times. 100 FHM in a pond free of predators would result in tens of thousands in 6-8 months. I personally stocked about 10 dozen in my 3 ac pond and after a year had enough to walk across the pond on their backs. If you're in a hurry to stock fish this Spring instead of waiting until the Fall, you can always bump the qty. - and in that case you could go 500-1000/acre. I think you're fine with 100 adults/surface acre if you're allowing them time to pull off a few spawns. I would personally wait on stocking any other fish, establish my forage base with as many layers [species] possible, allow them 6-8 months to become established, then begin my fish stocking plan.