Pond Boss Forums INTRO New Forum Member Introduction Newbie from IL

Is FHM the same as crappie minnows sold at bait store?? Can you stock bass shiners from bait store and will they reproduce?

My first choice would be to fill the dish with large rip rap or boulders. Second choice would be for spawning as the depth of the substrate at the outside of the disk will be very shallow and probably unusable. If you want to use it for spawning, I would go pea gravel to make it more desirable to more species. Keep in mind, I'm not a pro, just offering up what I would do.

Have fun!

Crappie minnows could be small golden shiners or FHM. Both will find a way to spawn in ponds. Sometimes these 'crappie minnows' are caught in the wild. Ask the bait shop where the came from - farm raised of wild.

Thanks Bill D. I just snagged a load of creek rocks from a buddies farm the other day. The sxs was squatting pretty good. I'll still need a couple more loads though.

My builder came out yesterday to flag the area. It looks like it will be a pretty deep pond. I asked him about a keyway and he said he would never build a pond without one. He also said he will put an overflow pipe in and an emergency spillway in. However, he does not use a sheep roller to compact the dirt.

Sounds like he understands ponds which should make things go more smoothly. Get references and call them.

I talked with a neighbor who had this guy build two ponds for him over the years and he has been very happy.

Excellent

So here is a picture of where the pond is going. It will be in the pasture below the line of large pine trees.

Here are some pics of the habitat I've been working on. WHat do you think? I also have rocks to add.