Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose Trout Ponds in Washington

I'm curious if anyone on this site has built a trout pond in the Seattle or out lying area. I'm interested in constructing a 1 - 1.5 acre pond within the next year and was hoping to find out information on permits, regulations, etc. involved in this area.

Also, how successful has you pond been. Are you feeding your fish or is it self sustaining, do you run a constant water supply, what is you min, max and average depth, do you stock forage fish, etc.

Any information people would be willing to part with would be much appreciated.

Thank you,
Jeff

Jeff,

I am also interested in building a trout pond of an acre or two. Brad Kerr is a biologist/consultant who specializes in designing trout ponds. His web-site contains information and links that might prove helpful:

troutpond

Good Luck!

-JN

I raise trout in a pond in northern Indiana so my climate is probably warmer in summmer and cooler in winter than yours. If you can keep your pond water between 55 and 65 throughout the summmer you should be fine. If not, you will have to add cooler water such as aerated well water. This is what I do in the summer. However my pond is small at only 88 by 59 feet and 9 feet deep so larger ponds would take more water. I pump up to 45 gpms (probably closer to 38 gpms) from May to September. I also feed my fish on a daily basis but if you want really big trout with a high survival rate that is the way to go. I've had browns and rainbows go from 14 to 16 inches to 22 to 25 inches in only one year. That is with virtually no growth during winter months. See my website at http://www.ligtel.com/~jjbaird/bairdfish2.htm

I have a copy of a publication sent by a frient put out by your state called "Trout Farming in Washington." The title is a misnomer as it is geared more to recreational ponds. It has a number under the title of EB756 and the friend that sent it to me put a number on it of 8248.

It's put out by the Cooperative Extention of College of Agriculture Washington State University. I'm sure you can find it if you do some digging and calling. At last resort I can sent you a copy, however,last time I did this I was deluged by requests.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Here is a link to the Washington State University College of Agriculture website where for $1 you can order the "Trout Farming in Washington" bulletin that Cecil mentioned:

http://pubs.wsu.edu/scripts/PubOrders/webListing.asp?category=130