help fish stocking numbers for new pond - 03/01/17 05:18 AM
I have been reading all the threads I can on this website since June. The amount of info is staggering to a new pond owner. My just shy of 3/4 acre pond (.7 acre according to the builder) was finished at the end of September 2016. Max depth is 15-16 feet and a large area of 8 feet that slopes to deep end. There is not much surface water runoff getting into the pond. I had them do a mound along the driveway to keep the field runoff out. I did not want the excess nutrients in the pond if I could help it. The house front gutters will be tiled into pond. Seems like most ponds around stay pretty full with just the rain water filling them. We will see on that.
I proceeded to stock one pound of FHM and 75 softshell crayfish from smith creek that fall. I think I am pretty set on the types of fish I want, but I just want to make sure I stock the correct numbers since you can only do it once. I am planning the following species: FHM, GSH, softshell crays, HBG, YP, RES, SMB and HSB and possible some rainbows in the fall to catch out before water temps get too high.
pond goals: To provide quality fishing and filets for the freezer. I want fish the kids can catch to keep them busy during the summer(YP and HBG) and some different fish(SMB and HSB) besides the normal old LMB and BG like most ponds around me. if all else fails, then the LMB and BG can be added. just always read that once there in there is no going back. I don't care to grow a state record fish but I enjoy catching nice big bluegills and light tackle fishing.
also will use blue dye in pond for cleaner looking pond and to help with light penetration for weeds/algae control. the wife wants it for swimming also and a big beach area for my younger kids and other family/friends to enjoy.
I plan to have aeration with diffusers in the shallow and deep areas. I also plan to feed fish more of a supplementary diet so they will still bite well and keep the YP offspring in check. but also want healthy fast growing fish.
I have added a bunch of concrete piles and 5 SMB beds at varying depths from 2-6 feet deep. also a couple FHM condos and some artificial tree structures. I plan to add a bunch of pines and large branch structures this spring. I will put them shallow so I can pull out and replace as needed. also added a few areas of river rock for more spawning areas.
My idea of stocking was to add more FHM and then the GSH, RES, HBG and YP this spring. then add the SMB and HSB next fall(2018) to give the fish a chance to spawn and get a couple age classes established prior to predators. I may also add more crays depending on how my trapping survey goes this spring. I tried catching some last week but only managed to get FHM. not sure if its too cold and the crays aren't active or what. I plan for this to be a lot of put and take also with the HBG and HSB.
questions are, what numbers to stock of each type and whether it is a good idea to stock multiple sizes of the HBG and YP or just fingerlings? I was thinking of stocking 20 or so 4-6 inch of each type to maybe have a few fish to harvest this year?
Also, what time of year should I stock the fish or does it depend on a certain water temp?
any advice and info on what I may be doing wrong is welcome. I just want to do it the best I can from the start.
I also just subscribed to pondboss for 2 years. anyone know when the issues come out?
thanks for looking and any advice,
scott
I proceeded to stock one pound of FHM and 75 softshell crayfish from smith creek that fall. I think I am pretty set on the types of fish I want, but I just want to make sure I stock the correct numbers since you can only do it once. I am planning the following species: FHM, GSH, softshell crays, HBG, YP, RES, SMB and HSB and possible some rainbows in the fall to catch out before water temps get too high.
pond goals: To provide quality fishing and filets for the freezer. I want fish the kids can catch to keep them busy during the summer(YP and HBG) and some different fish(SMB and HSB) besides the normal old LMB and BG like most ponds around me. if all else fails, then the LMB and BG can be added. just always read that once there in there is no going back. I don't care to grow a state record fish but I enjoy catching nice big bluegills and light tackle fishing.
also will use blue dye in pond for cleaner looking pond and to help with light penetration for weeds/algae control. the wife wants it for swimming also and a big beach area for my younger kids and other family/friends to enjoy.
I plan to have aeration with diffusers in the shallow and deep areas. I also plan to feed fish more of a supplementary diet so they will still bite well and keep the YP offspring in check. but also want healthy fast growing fish.
I have added a bunch of concrete piles and 5 SMB beds at varying depths from 2-6 feet deep. also a couple FHM condos and some artificial tree structures. I plan to add a bunch of pines and large branch structures this spring. I will put them shallow so I can pull out and replace as needed. also added a few areas of river rock for more spawning areas.
My idea of stocking was to add more FHM and then the GSH, RES, HBG and YP this spring. then add the SMB and HSB next fall(2018) to give the fish a chance to spawn and get a couple age classes established prior to predators. I may also add more crays depending on how my trapping survey goes this spring. I tried catching some last week but only managed to get FHM. not sure if its too cold and the crays aren't active or what. I plan for this to be a lot of put and take also with the HBG and HSB.
questions are, what numbers to stock of each type and whether it is a good idea to stock multiple sizes of the HBG and YP or just fingerlings? I was thinking of stocking 20 or so 4-6 inch of each type to maybe have a few fish to harvest this year?
Also, what time of year should I stock the fish or does it depend on a certain water temp?
any advice and info on what I may be doing wrong is welcome. I just want to do it the best I can from the start.
I also just subscribed to pondboss for 2 years. anyone know when the issues come out?
thanks for looking and any advice,
scott
Description: annual rye came in good
Description: smb bed frone view
Description: smb bed top view
Description: view of ledge with smb beds and river rock areas
Description: Fhm condos
Description: beach area with most of sand in . build with electric for aeration will be in upper right corner.
Description: geotextile fabric under sand and ledge to help hold sand in.
Description: bad pic , but overall view of pond from upstairs window.
Description: size of crayfish that went in.
Description: found a couple sticklebacks when sorting the fhm.