Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Can I stock before pond is full?

Corkman, welcome. I'd reiterate Pat's advice about checking the water. Alkalinity is particularly important. If your pond is in an acidic environment, you may need to add lime, for instance. That's what I will do when my pond in the pines is finished in east Texas.

My understanding is that you can stock bluegill and minnows when the lake is half or even one-third full. As water warms and pond fills they will spawn and fill it pretty quickly. The big thing is to stock a lot of prey, and to stock them first. Predators such as LMB and HSB should be stocked later and only when there are plenty of fish to eat.