Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose Large mouth or Small mouth

So after taking all the advice on other posts so far, I'm just trying to figure out which would be better suited for my pond. There is no rush since I have to allow my other population build first. But here goes.

7 1/2 feet deep
1/2 acre in size
Healthy supply of FHM and Shiners
Healthy supply of BG
Aeration throughout winter to keep O2 healthy

Once the above is in place and pond is stable I plan on choosing one type of bass and adding it to the pond. Based on the above and the fact that I am in Ontario Canada lets hear some pros and cons for both.

SMB and BG don't mix well and you're too far north for RES. How about BG and single-sex LMB?

Too far North for RES?

Is this due to short growing season? Or is there an amount of ice that will winter kill them? The parts of ontario that I visit are straight East of my house in Michigan, perhaps Bocomo knows Jay123 and knows that the particular pond in question is much farther north in ontario?

I would guess their winters are similar to lower western Michigan winters except we get more Lk Michigan lake effect snow. I'm wondering if RES would work in my area so I'm curious to learn about how to over-winter them.

I don't plan to aerate (pond only 9-10' deep in deepest, 1/3-1/2 acre depending on ground water with gradual taper to shore) as we hope to ice skate on it.

I did wonder if you could run the aerator in short bursts, maybe on a timer 2 hours on, 2 hours off just in the 12 overnight hours to get a little oxygen under the ice but yet not thin the ice to make it unsafe for skating? Does anyone have experience with the idea of intermittent aeration under a ice pack?

Bocomo,

I haven't put any BG in yet. I've just started stocking with FHM and Shiners. I am doing nothing else until spring. Was just looking for some ideas. If SMB don't do well with BG I don't need to put BG in.

I guess I should find out which is better for my area LMB or SMB then choose what supplement I need to stock for a healthy pond.

My winters would be similar to Northern New York. I am in Kingston which is right on the US boarder.

So my next question is, how the heck do I do Single Sexed LMB? buy them like that? catch them and sex them before adding them?

Canyon Creek,

I plan on aerating the shallow area of my pond with some bubble hose and block off that area from skaters. I too intend to play hockey on my pond.

What are your goals for the fishery? If you are open to different options, and aren't set on a certain fish species there are a number of different good plans.

What is the bottom of your pond like? All clay, any rocky areas? Are you willing to feed your fish? Do you plan to harvest fish for the table? How much fishing pressure do you foresee the pond receiving?

I am open to any options. My goal is really just to have a healthy pond that I can throw frogs in and watch the fish smash them! Maybe harvest a few nice bass for a meal once in a blue moon (not a lot of pressure from fishing since the pond is only about 180 feet by 110 feet. Have my friends kids come over and catch a few sunfish would be cool.

The bottom is heavy clay, some gravel, some boulders. I can build some structure if needed. I can add whatever is needed to help a healthy fish population.