Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Rainbow Trout Stocking Rate

I'm interested in stocking rainbow trout into an existing pond to provide fishing during the winter. The pond does have a relatively good fish population (bass, crappie, sunfish, carp, catfish, walleye). What rate can I stock trout at without harming the other fish populations?

From what I've read in past posts, it seems they don't make a huge impact on your other fish populations unless you are reaching your max biomass in the pond. I've also read to be leary as well if you have big largemouth as they could become an expensive treat for them.

I'm looking to stock some rainbows in my Ohio pond this winter as well. I'm curious what size is recommended I have access to 10-12" RBT for $6.99 each, and then larger ones than that are $7.99 per pound at Freshwater Farms in Urbana, while Fenders has them for $6 each but I'm not sure of the sizing.

The bigger sizes at stocking the larger they will be at a June harvest. The first year of using fall trout will be a learning experience. Then make adjustments for second year.

Sounds good, thanks for the replies, one more thing, what temperature do I need to let the pond cool down too before stocking them? Is 70 degrees too warm?

There is a Trout farm down southern west Missouri ( Crystal Lake Fisheries ) 417-683-2307 that was extremely helpful last year when I went to stock some RT here in Missouri , IMO I would wait until water was in low 60's and been there week or 2 , Trout were A lot of fun and we enjoyed having them , I put in 200 pounds November 17th 2022 ( 185 fish roughly ) so they were a little over a pound and took to the feed within a couple days and we actually caught a few within a few days and they EAT , going into the fall I had many small baby bass that had been spawned earlier that year and when spring arrived you could tell that number was down or " in check " so that was a good bonus i guess , we seen our last floater May 17th 2023 exactly 6 months to the day from stocking as the water had warmed enough to kill them out , between the bald eagles , friends and family we are able to catch almost every single fish and only accounted for 3 floaters come May , at the end those 1 pound fish when stocked were a shy bit over 4 pounds

70°F water temp is too warm. I don't like stocking them in 65°F water temp, a hot spell can push water temps to over 70°F and that could result in dead fish. I wait until water temps are 60°F before I stock any.

Marvin there is good people!

I've stocked 2# Rainbows in late October and they have been 7# by the end of May. See if they have any Golden Rainbows, you can see them swimming a lot easier and they seem to be more aggressive in biting lures than the regular rainbows

@esshup Wow now you got me thinking of stocking 2lbers! That's amazing growth!

I keep notes of stocking rates when I come across them in writing. Here are a couple suggestions. The Michigan article is adamant about not mixing trout with other species, but that may be 1970's thinking.

For what it is worth: I just stocked my new 0.5+ acre pond today with 25 RBT from Imlay City. $5.00 each. Water temp is currently 64°F with diffused aeration. I plan on feeding. This is my first stocking, so we shall see.

I just stocked 15 - 12" RBT in my 1/3 acre pond. No aeration yet, I may need to put some air to it this winter in a spot to be able to feed. Already a ton of fun, next day after stocking they were already aggressively hitting feed. Hoping to see some 2+lbers by May!