Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose Planning New Pond in Northern Waters

Update on NY pond stocking. In line with recommendations,we put in 20 lbs of FHM and 10 lbs of GS around April 1, but struggled to find a source of YP in NY and PA. Zetts was willing to supply 100 2-3" fingerlings (no more!) and we got the shipment today. The minnows have been spawning successfully and there are literally 10's of thousands of them everywhere along the edge and especially in the beach area which is a cloud of YOY minnows; the perch will have lots to snack on.

Water clarity rose to about 5', then we got lots of rain and some inflow and now it is down to 2-3'. Besides perch, it has been a struggle to get eel grass (few have it, Kester's were contaminated with zebra mussels and Wicklein's was only able to provide 50) and no clasping pondweed this year. Other suppliers that I have used in the past have had none of either. So, I will have to put off stocking crayfish for at least another year until the plants get established.

I also put in some hay and added daphnia from Smith Creek. I don't know how you tell if that worked, but hope so.

Bottom line, 3" YP is my top end predator for 2023 but will try to stock more 4-6" YP in fall if available and SMB next year. Progress!, although slower than wished.

A note on geese. We had 2 different pairs consider nesting in the spring. One left after a few shotgun blasts. The second just jumped in the pond when we tried that. In the end, I went out on the pond in a canoe and had my son fire his shotgun into the air a few times. The geese thought about going into the pond (which they had done the first time we tried the shotgun) but looked at me in their escape route and flew off. Good for 1 year at least.