Doug,
Welcome to Pond Boss.
I doubt you will have to wait for your pond to be at full pool by the time it is warm enough to stock fish. I'm about 15 miles west of Winchester, VA, just off US 50. We can't be very far apart geographically or weather-wise.
My ponds are only filled with rain/snow, and the subsequent runoff. I haven't been below full-pool in several years. I cannot currently see the tops of my standpipe drains (part of that is due to the snow we've been getting every few days, but ...)
I see absolutely no reason why you can't begin a stocking program once the weather starts to warm.
Let us know what your goals are for the pond. Don't stock anything until you have a reasonable idea of what you want for this season and at least through seasons 5 to 7. It doesn't need to be more than four or five ideas -- like swimming, monstrous FILL IN THE BLANKS fish, peepers and bullfrog seranades, etc.
Before you are ready to stock I can send you some recommended sources via a Private Message once we know what you are looking for. There are several others here in our local area who are active on the forum, and who can also provide good advice. None of the suppliers are bad, but none are created equal. They all have their good and bad points.
Welcome,
Ken
