Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose Trout Requirements

A friend of mine has recently built a pond. It is about 1/4 acre in size, and most of the area is 5 feet or more deep. There are some areas whick are about 10 feet deep. The other day, the thermometer read 100 degrees and I took some water temps at the pond. The spring feeding it was 59, the shallow area where the spring entered the pond was 72, and the shoreline at the other end of the pond was 81. Keep in mind this was probably the hottest day of the year and we are in a severe drought (the pond is only about half full). Do you guys think trout will survive in this pond under normal conditions? There is another pond near it that trout do live in.

Dear PA Trout:

Trout definitely can be raised in a small, shallow impoundment. Our readers do it all the time. But they are mindful of the potential for overcrowding and the water-quality issues that can arise. Aeration and regular harvest may be the keys to your trout fishery.

Mark McDonald
Editor

I raise trout in a smaller 1/10th acre pond. Brooks, Browns, and Rainbows. I run up to 45 gpms of aerated well water into the pond 24/7 in summer.

The answer to your question is it depends on what temps are in the deepest water, and if D.O. levels don't drop below 5 ppms in the that water if you allow the pond to stratify.

As I have said before on this site: Two things you can do:

1.)Check temps from top to bottom during the hottest part of summer (sounds like you just checked the surface).

2.) Or put some trout in before summer and see if they make it. If they don't make it...well... there's your answer.

Optimum temps for trout is mid 50's although they can acclimate to the the mid 60's especially rainbows although you will probably lose some to disease.

Your friend could also divert the spring water into a much smaller pond (easier to cool) and then allow the overflow to go into the 1/4 acre pond for coolwater fish.