Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Creating the food chain Ready to stock...

IMO you really need larger bass (5"-8") so they can right away start eating the smallest goldfish(GF). Initially I would omit all but a few of the bgill (20-25)and shellcracker(RES)(20-25). BG & RES are forage fish and since you have lots of goldfish at this point you don't need more forage fish. Add just enough BG-RES to establish some breeders. Then as the GF are reduced the BG-RES numbers should increase.

You might want to add the FHM to provide the bass some food right away so they grow to the 5"-8" sizes and can then eat GF. Also consider adding a few more bass (+5-15) to provide extra predation of the goldfish so you more quickly reduce GF numbers. Then remove some bass (10-25) when goldfish are few or scarce to allow the BG RES to continue reproducing and adding more of themselves. If you are not going to clean and eat catfish do not add them. You can always add them later if needed.

Initially you may have to help the bass reduce goldfish. You can catch goldfish with small hooks and worms or doughballs for bait. Baited minnow traps work good for removing smaller goldfish. If you have lots of goldfish, your water is likely also turbid from all of them actively working the bottom for food. As you get the goldfish numbers reduced to a few the water should become clearer.