We got our first fish delivery yesterday - 30 4-6" Bluegill, 50 Redear, 10 lbs of Fathead Minnows and 4 8-10" largemouth bass.

I put the bass into my old small pond (1/4 acre) along with maybe 1/3 of the minnows. The rest went into the new pond (2/3 acre when full) which is about 1/2 full. The old pond has bluegill in in and I had previously transferred 30 or 40 of various sizes to the new pond. at least 10 were over 4" and there were both sexes so there should be a nice spawn any time now. Water is above 70.

A few floaters and a few dead sinkers of the minnows - otherwise everything a-ok.

Assuming the new pond fills up I am thinking of adding SMB, HSB and Perch next year. I am concenned about water temps - I will be monitoring the temps this summer.

Anyone know the high end limits for the SMB and Perch? The depth will be a pretty steady 9' with one hole to 10.5'. I am near Lake Erie in Northern Ohio but not sure if I am far enough North with that depth for the Perch and SMB to make it.

I would like to avoid aeration and do not plan to feed. I am attempting to create a natural balanced ecosystem not too dissimilar from what Eric is doing in Rochester.

2/3 acre pond 12 miles from that big pond we call Lake Erie.