I've been rolling through lots of the previous posts, and perhaps I've missed some info but thought I would check...

Currently in Late Fall / Early Winter with the pond going through some freezing and thawing. Water is low and filling as it rains/snows.

We are trying to get the habitat for the fish finished up which should be done in the next couple of days (I hope) before the next rain/snow event changes the clay back to greasy pig conditions.
- Have approx 4' of water in the bottom of the pond currently. Have ordered a LaMotte test kit in but hasn't arrived yet.

Any of you have a checklist for a rookie in the pondmeister world that could be used to keep a new guy from making a booboo early on?

My next step is to start working on the Alkalinity above 75PPM mark and PH between 6.5-8?

Is there any benefit to adding any forage fish to the water currently in winter conditions? Wouldn't really be looking for anything in the way of growth at this point. It would be more about fish/water acclimation than anything.

As a follow up to the forage fish question above. We will be stocking the pond as it rises not when it is full. Should my stocking plan be based off the estimated current water in the pond or what the pond will be when full?

1.5acre LMB, YP, BG, RES, GSH, Seasonal Tilapia
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