Pond Boss Forums FISH & FISHING Sunfish-Including Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass How soon can I stock?

I'd follow what Cody said.

A few years ago I tried to keep the pond cooler by only aerating when the air temp was below 70 degrees. It didn't help at all.

Just go buy a $10 corded indoor/outdoor thermometer or get a swimming pool thermometer. I don't like to transfer fish from water to water that has more than a 5�F difference without tempering the water that the fish are in like Cody explained.

Once the water is within 5 degrees of the pond water, let them go into the pond. The more that they are handled in cool water, the more stressed they are, and the more susceptible they are to fungus.