Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Dead Fish

Just stocked my 1/2 acre pond 2 weeks ago, with 150 CC, 300 CNBG and 1500 FHM. This past weekend while working around the pond, I noticed 2 dead CC floating in the pond, is this normal to lose some fish? Also, the day the pond was stocked we had a huge amount of rain in a very short period of time. The pond overflowed through the spillway and I lost some FHM. Not sure how many, but the drainage ditch the pond overflows to is full of FHM. Should I add more FHM?

It is normal to lose some fish from stocking. FH don't cost much.

I'm thinking a seine net would come in very handy.

I don't want to recover any of the FHM from the ditch, not sure about the water they're in. I was worried that I may have lost most of my FHM and the other fish won't have a food supply. This is my first pond and I don't know a whole lot about it. I wish I would have heard about this website sooner. The pond was dug last Sep. and it's approx. 1/2 acre. I'm still having problems with suspended clay, the water won't clear up. Had water samples run, PH is 7.5 and the alkalinity is 95, not sure what goes behind the 95 the hatchery didn't tell me. They just said the water was fine. I guessed at the stocking rate, I didn't want to overstock. Any advice, suggestions would be appreciated.

I don't think your CC and CNBG are dependent on FHM for food - the FHM are more jumpstart forage for bass. (When) are you planning on stocking bass? If you still have good numbers of FHM present, they should spawn all Summer and you should be able to observe their numbers increasing (despite small amounts of predation by CC & CNBG). If the FHM numbers go up, you should be OK for bass without adding more minnows.

I was planning on stocking my bass this fall, but after reading some of the questions and answers on this site, I might wait until next spring. My CNBG were about 2-3 inches when they were stocked 2 weeks ago. Not sure if they'll be big enough by fall to stock the bass.

If you use small LMB ,2-3 inches in size, it will be ok to add them in the fall. I would add a few FH just to remove the uncertainty. FH are cheap. The rate for CNBG is ok to low (500 is normal for 1/2 acre). The rate for CC is high. CC can add to the muddy condition. The alkalinity is in ppm and 95 is good. I would put no more than 50 2-3in. LMB in this fall (35-40 would be better) and start taking out some CC. Are you feeding the fish? This post assumes that you are not feeding. I think I would add another 250 2 in. CNBG/RES mix. Often from the hatchery CNBG and RES at that size will be mixed 80% CNBG and 20% RES.

Ewest, thanks for the advice, I wasn't sure about the CC numbers, but I will try to remove some and add the CNBG and FHM. I'm glad to hear that I can still stock the LMB in the fall, I'm trying to get the pond going as soon as I can. I have 3 grandchildren that are standing around the pond with their fishing poles ready to go!!

If you can feed those CC this summer some will be ready for the frying pan next year. Lots of fun while you're waiting for your bass and BG to mature.