Pond Boss Forums INTRO New Forum Member Introduction New Member just north of GA/SC border

Just had a pond dug (3/4 acre) and don't even know where to start. It is fed by ground water and is 10' deep. I want to stock it but don't know when to do it. It is VERY muddy and was dug in clay. How long will it take to settle out? Do I wait for that to happen before I stock it with minnows? Will eventually stock crappie and bluegill.

Thanks for any and all input.

Welcome to Pond Boss.
Very muddy is normal. It may settle out in time, or it may require flocculation treatment (there are threads for that), but I wouldn't sweat it until later.

How is your water temp? Don't know how cold it will get over the winter down where you are at. Us Northerners generally don't want to stock new going into cold winters, but you may be able to get minnows going fine if you're still in the 60s. Likely you aren't frozen over like we are. Minnows do ok with muddy, that's why I asked more about temps.

So you are 10' of water already or the pond will be and you're just starting to fill now?

As always, we love seeing pictures.
Enjoy the PB family...

Welcome to PBF!

I just read in a thread a couple days ago about doing a jar test to see if your water will clear. IIRC the method is to take a gallon jar of your pond water and let it sit 2 to 4 days. If is settles out, you are good to go. If it doesn't then you may need to take steps to clear it up.

Bill D.

Yea I spoke to Overtons fish market and he said if it clears even in one week you are probably good to go. WELCOME LARRY, I am very new here also, just finished my 2 acre pond November 1st.I am sooo glad I asked a lot of questions on this forum. These people are GREAT!! I have had 19 inches of rain in 2 months. Was not expecting that but boy was I glad to be prepared because all the helpful people here. I am in East Texas and my fish supplier recommended I get my baitfish by the end of February. Good luck in South C.

The pond filled in just a week from groundwater. Will take water temp and get back to you.

Welcome Larry!
You are lucky to have that much water to fill up so quickly. Flame is about a 100 miles +- from me and he has had a lot of rain where I have not.3" in the last 3 months with little to no runoff into lake. Mine is 5+- ac and is 10' deep now and needs 5+ ' to be full . Good luck with your new pond and ask lots of questions, these guys have been there and done that...

Pat

Larry,
Welcome to Pond Boss...tons of good info here. When you are able get a water/ soil sample, get your pH checked to find out where you are alkalinity-wise. The first sample I took was from a test kit bought from TSC. Good luck! Post some pond pix when you get some.