Pond Boss Forums Thread Like Summary - 1/2 acre stocking rate

Im getting ready to stock a 6 month old 1/2 acre pond in louisiana and want some input from yall. The pond is longer than it is wide and has a 10-12ft channel running the length of it. Ive got lots of structure in it (pvc trees, pallet structures, tire pyramids, stake beds, cinder block structures) and my goal is to have a healthy population of bluegill and bass. The fish farm is recommending i stock 1500 native bluegill now and then 150 bass/500 channel cat in october. I wasnt originally planning to stock catfish but if they wont disturb my bluegill and bass then i will stock them. They say not to stock fatheads and to feed the floating catfish pellets sold at tractor supply. Does this sound like good info? Thanks in advance

It sounds like the fish farm is looking out for their interest instead of yours. $$$$$

The “normal” recommended stocking rate is1,000 2 inch bluegills per acre with 1,000 or x pounds of fatheads. Give them a year to spawn and add bass. Anything smaller than 2 inch will be too fragile to handle. Feed a good brand of food. Food isn’t a good place to try to look for a Tractor Supply Company bargain. I can personally recommend Optimal, Purina and Skretting.

Bass and bluegills have a symbiotic relationship. Only bluegills can spawn enough to feed bass and only bass can keep up with the spawning rates of bluegills. It’s the predator/prey relationship like coyotes and rabbits.

If you don’t stock the bass in a timely manner, the bluegills will over spawn, foul the water and die. Been there and done that.

Prior to release, float the bag in the pond to acclimate the fish to the ponds water temps.

Last bit of advice. Don’t lie to your wife about the $. You’re gonna get caught.