Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose New Pond Stocking

Welcome to the forum!

Ditto what Theo said. The SMB/YP/CC won't be able to control the BG numbers. The BGxRES that Theo talks about most likely wouldn't do well in your pond due to the northern latitude. PS are what northern pond owners need to stock to control snails. My experiences with CC are that I prefer NOT to have them in my pond, but that's just me. Too hard to catch if caught and released, I had some escape the holding tank and now I have some in the pond again that I have to work at to get out.

Saugeye would help control the BG, but since Snipe isn't hatching them any more I have no idea where in the US to source them.Keystone Hatchery in Wi has PS. AT least the last time I looked.....

WE might help with the BG but they'd also target the YP. HSB would help with the BG and minimally affect the YP, they just won't help as much as LMB would. The CC would have to be big to help with the BG, a 4# CC still has a relatively small gape so the BG they'd control would be smaller - 4" and under. WE target more fusiform shaped fish, so while they will help somewhat with BG control, they don't do as well of a job as the Saugeye do.

I'd be tempted to say just stock the GSH, YP, larger sized PS if you can find them (and look at every one to minimize getting BG in there), SMB and wait a year or two before adding the CC. Look at sourcing some HSB. That's a safe bet because they won't reproduce in the pond. They are also more of a pelagic fish like the more adult GSH so they will help control their numbers. Keep in mind that LMB might have to be an option if you DO get BG in there and you can't control their numbers.

Make sure you have fine cover like brush piles made annually from Christmas trees for the YP to use as spawning habitat.