So my goal for this pond is to have catchable and edible fish and to have the least amount of maintenance. The pond was dug in August and the water is now about 2 feet deep from reaching the top. I have about 15 acres draining into it through ditches that have not had time for grass cover so the water will be muddy until the grass takes over next summer. The pond is the shape of an "L" so, 3/5 of the pond has a North/South "lane" that has constant wind blowing on it and 2/5 of the pond has a East/West "lane" that does not get a lot of wind. We will be adding 2 bottom dwelling aerators in 3-4 months once we get electricity out there.

As I said in the beginning, my goal is catchable and edible fish with the least amount of maintenance. I would like to have Bass, Catfish and Bream. I would prefer the large hybrid bream but will stock whatever will give me my goal.


With all of that said, How should I start my forage base? And when? I don't want shiners that will pester anyone fishing with a cork and worm (right?)

Hey, I'm certainly no expert, but you might want to stock fathead minnows first. Put out some structure for them to spawn and let them get busy filling the pond. Then you could stock panfish, then LMB and/or CC.

It's a great feeling to have fish in one's pond. Muddy water or not. Agree with Frank and would add some FHM's. I would do it in mid February. I might even add some Rosey Reds (they are a Fhm) since they are available this time of year from locale bait shops, and used for crappie fishing. But that's just me. I like fish lol. As the water should clear up some and hoping it will, then you could add some good numbers of cnbg along with some res maybe in March or April. Heck, if the water is not too muddy you could add the cnbg and res with the fhm's. And then add some lmb next fall. Have some fun with it.