OLD POND-NEW PROBLEM - 04/09/04 07:33 PM
I have a small 1/2 acre pond in the back of the property we dug 3 years ago. The pond is fed by ground water and in the spring is 15-19 feet deep. The problem is in the summer. The depth drops to 7-10 feet and the water temp gets close to 70 fht. We stocked trout the first winter and they lived untill last summer growing to 12-16" but we had an exceptionally warm/dry summer and all bellied up in Aug. Starting to re-stock this spring and doing it right. I put in 1000 fathead minnows yesturday and there is a large supply of frogs and insects. In three years the pond has matured and underwater cover is abundant.
I have several questions,
1. What game fish should I stock this size pond that can survive and prosper in the varying water temps. 40-70?
2. How long should I let the fatheads live alone before I populate with game fish? The trout were pellet feed so no other species in the pond now but minnows.
3. Since the pond is groundwater fed, during the summer months there is very little circulation in the water. What fish will live/thrive in this pond? The fatheads seem to be doing wonderfully. Locally you can find perch/crappie and trout in ponds. I'm very interested in some kind of bluegill. Will they make it?
I have several questions,
1. What game fish should I stock this size pond that can survive and prosper in the varying water temps. 40-70?
2. How long should I let the fatheads live alone before I populate with game fish? The trout were pellet feed so no other species in the pond now but minnows.
3. Since the pond is groundwater fed, during the summer months there is very little circulation in the water. What fish will live/thrive in this pond? The fatheads seem to be doing wonderfully. Locally you can find perch/crappie and trout in ponds. I'm very interested in some kind of bluegill. Will they make it?