I've been reading this wonderful forum since November of 2013, and I subscribed to the magazine very soon afterwards. I enjoy reading all the suggestions and I look forward to using a lot of them in my own pond.
My pond was dug in late fall of 2013. It is 1/2 acre in size (138� x 132�) with an average depth of 6�. I believe it is 8� to 9� at the deepest point. I wanted it to be about 40% larger & at least 3� deeper, but the contractor hit solid limestone much sooner than we expected. I live in Warren County, VA about 75 miles west of Washington DC, right in the middle of limestone heaven!
The pond was built to have a quiet place to relax and to allow me and my friends and family a place to go fishing. I would like to be able to pull enough fish to put on the dinner table a few times each year, and maybe a late summer fish fry. My ultimate objective is a balanced pond with decent sized LMB (or whatever other predator fish I decide on) and pan fish. I am sure my wife will want a �pretty� fountain from Aqua Control.
Unfortunately, my pond filled very quickly before any structure, other than 2 rock piles in the deepest part, could be added. I am going to stack several clean pallets for FHM breeding in the shallow part. I plan to sink at least 6 cut cedar trees along the deeper �forest side� of the bank, and I have the materials to make 3 large fish trees and place them in 6� � 8� of water using a small boat.
I live within an hours drive to Zetts Fish Farm in WV, so stocking should be easy. I gave them a call last week and was told I could get fish as early as next week (3-28-14). I was considering the standard FHM/BKF/GSH - BG/RES/LMB stocking plan, but I am open to suggestions. I have also thought about HSB instead of LMB. I would also like to add some YP and/or BCP for a little bit of variety on the dinner table. I haven�t given any thought to CC. I don�t particularly care to eat CC, but maybe I need a few for reasons I haven�t considered?
After reading the forums for months, this is what I thought about stocking, please correct me as you see fit.
Spring 2014 - 3 pounds of FHM, 2 pounds each of BKF & GSH, 350 1"-2" BG & 100 1"-2" RES Spring 2015 � 25 each 3"-4" LMB (Or whatever other predator fish the majority of people recommend)
I don�t have a problem feeding the fish since my pond is only steps away from my back door, and fish food is reasonably priced. I also believe that I can add aeration at a later date, if it is needed. Something else I have is time; I�m only 45 and have many years to do this right.
Thank you in advance, I look forward to reading the answers!
