Marty,

Sounds like you've got a lot going for you with those three ponds. I'll try and help you out.

The 3/4 acre one has fish in it already I presume. If it hasn't been stocked with catfish recently, I would stock it with 100 channel catfish 8" (minimum) long and call it good. For the "re-cored" one acre lake, you could try and stock the traditional bass/bluegill/catfish combo, but with a new 8-acre lake, why bother? Instead stock it with about 200 4-6" (minimum) catfish, three pounds of fathead minnows, and about 500 hybrid bluegill if you enjoy panfishing. Put feeders on both smaller lakes filled with Purina game fish chow.

For the larger lake, stock 100 catfish, 250 bluegill, 250 redear, two pounds of fathead minnows, and 50 largemouth bass per acre. Stocking with the smallest (most economical) fingerlings will work fine in this lake. Fertilize annually for best results, but in your area be sure and check that alkalinity levels exceed 20 ppm.

Stock panfish, catfish, and minnows this fall, and follow up with the bass next spring.

If you want the best fishing possible, contact a lake manager in your area for advice. There is no substitute for experience.