Pond Boss Forums INTRO New Forum Member Introduction stocking suggestions

I have a 1/4 acre pond just aquired in southeast tx. I am planning to stock with fish soon but want to know my options. Being its a small pond are my best options to use as basically put and take? Or are largemouth and bluegill an option? I am leaning toward hybrid striped bass hybrid bluegill and some channel cats as all of these readily eat pellets and can be restocked periodically as they spawn very little. Also considering just catfish channel and blue cats. Any opinions welcome.

My concern with the bluegill largemouth bass combo is sustaining a forage base for my bass. I could restock bluegill at larger sizes later as well but feel this may get expensive in long run and be looking at stunted fish frequently.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks randy

Randy, in a 1/4 acre pond I think you are on the right track in going with pellet fed hybrids vs. LMB/BG combo. A lot less work down the road. Just keep track of how many of each fish you remove. Depending on the quantity removed you might have to restock on a yearly or bi-yearly basis.

WRF, if I decided to stock LMB in a pond that size, I would consider a very limited stocking of females only. They can grow quite large if the numbers are controlled and no spawning.

HSB are really hot right now, so maybe the guys that have those will chime in.

But before I did anything, I'd want to know what was already in the pond. Do you have any history on the pond itself? Fish caught, drought, potential flooding, etc. Maybe a fun day of fishing, or a seining would let you know where you're already at and give you a better starting point.

This is a 2 YO that snuck into my 1/5 acre CNBG pond. There were 5 females only in that pond, and they all looked like this.

FIH, what'd it weigh? Pretty colors on it. Very white compared to fish up here.

Scott, it was one of those 5 I pulled out during the seining, so I'm not sure. IIRC, consensus was that it was at 140-155 RW.

I really hated to even mention LMB, because your previous post was right on point. LMB can be an issue if 20 are just arbitrarily dumped in. But, some want them, so if they're stocked they must be controlled.

I'm glad George never found out what I did with these, and what went in the other pond with them.

That's a nice hsb real heathly looking. History as I know it of pond..no fish present now have fished it two stretches with nary a bite. I do see bullfrog tadpoles and have been told this is a good sign of being able to hold fish. The previous owner had two koi fish in it for a period of time for fun..but these fish have since died off. It is fed by well so drying up is not an issue I don't think. I will plan to seine to make sure as water has been consistently muddy so want to make sure no bullheads or other bottom feeding fish.

If I were to stock with hybrids what would be a good starting point. I am thinking 25 hsb and 150-250 hbg. Too many? Not enough? The hatcheries tell you more but they sell fish to make money so am a little leary. Also if decided to go with lmb and bluegill how many to initially stock? Thinking 12-15 lmb 300-400 bluegill maybe 25-50 redear I hear they are good to control snails. I worry about lmb stunting quickly so this option the more I read I believe is out

Thanks for the opinions.
Randy

I like your HSB/HBG idea but would probably toss in about a dozen redears.

I wouldn't stock bass or bluegills in 1/4 acre. It can be done but it's not real enjoyable.

Thanks david. Any suggestions on a good fish farm in texas. I am willing to pay more for quality and to get all fish from one supplier. Danbury fish farms is close by and has hybrid bass but no hybrid bluegills. I am familiar with bryan fish farm but have noone who has done buisness with them. My grandfather is from brenham and had a 1 acre cat bass and perch pond that I loved growing up I am trying to start my own just getting facts together and want to make a good decision.

I think I would contact Todd Overton. He can fix you up with fish that won't die on the way home.

Thank you I will get in contact with him. Your advice is much appreciated.

Randy