Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Creating the food chain Recommendations for stocking 3/8 acre new pond

Completed dig of pond last August in NE Ohio. Dug Approx 10 ft deep in middle. Planted grass on both sides of dam and around pond which has come up nicely for erosion and added a lot of structure and dock last fall. About another 2 1/2 feet and it will be full which I hope will it will be by this May or earlier. Water around edge is looking clearer all the time and plan on putting in a aereating system this spring. Have not had water tested yet if necessary?

I am looking to stock FHM BG or HBG LMB and maybe RES so my question is how many of each should be stocked and the timing going forward. Should I stock FHM this Spring and then wait until summer/fall for others? Do I need to feed the minnows/fish? Can I stock some BG at same time as FHM?.. or better off waiting after the FHM?

Numbers of fish should be determined by a number of things.
First, your goals. Well defined goals help with decisions about how many of each fish.
Second, your timeline. Want to stock fingerlings, let them grow up and wait two years to catch fish? Or, want to catch fish next week?
Third, build the food chain, first. So, if you want largemouth bass, you'll want to start a new pond with fathead minnows, bluegills, maybe some pumpkinseeds and redear (if they'll live in NE Ohio). Give these fish some time, then stock bass.
As far as numbers go, if your goals are basic, I'd stock 10 pounds of fathead minnows, 500 bluegills (not hybrid sunfish), pumpkinseeds and redear sunfish if you can get them, 100-150 each of those, and follow at least six months, up to a year, with 50 bass fingerlings.

don't forget the ever versatile and desirable tilapia! They often should go in 'early' with the forage fish.