Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Creating the food chain Where to stock Shiners?

I plan on purchasing some wild shiners to stock our pond. Our pond is fed by a small stream that has some wild minnows and creek chubs. The stream is really shallow close to the pond but about 25 yards up is a 3-4 foot hole. I was thinking of adding the shiners there to give them time to establish.

Every evening the wild minnows venture out into the pond...not sure why, its a big massacer...so I thought the wild shiners would do the same. This would give them all time to get established instead of easy pickings for the first bass in the area.

Should I worry about them heading up stream? Will they head towards the pond?

The bass already know that is where the minnows are, during the dog days of summer if I sneak up to the creek, littlerally in about 8 inches of water, I see (6-8) 2 and 3lb'rs just sitting there looking up stream. I guess the water is cooler and it has more oxygen.

Anyways. To help prevent predation would you prefer stocking the stream or another part of the pond?

If there is little or no cover in the pond, and I was putting in a fairly low number of shiners, I think I'd stick them all in the hole in the stream. However, if you're going to stock a large number of shiners, they'd probably be way too many for the stream. In that case I'd put some in the hole, most in the pond (near cover if possible).

Be aware that with "wild" shiners, which I assume means they are trapped from some wild body of water rather than hatchery raised, you may introduce unwanted species of fish like carp or bullheads.

Thanks Theo,

Is this a Carp?
http://www.bassinsight.com/index.php?module=photoshare&func=showimages&fid=3
(See fourth image) If so then I already have them, and I have seen some catfish babies but I am not sure the species. I will try to snap a picture the next time I run into them.

I am starting off small, after reading most other peoples experience with stocking existing bass ponds. I am looking for a better way to go. I think the creek idea makes sense. At least they will know how to get there if they do decide to venture out into the pond. To answer your question, no the pond does not have a lot of cover, it is fairly shallow 2-3 feet in most parts, out in the middle may get 7-8, and its pretty clear with some algae and grass. There is not many places for them to hide.

Well I will let you know how it goes. Thanks again.

The picture wasn't real good, but I believe it is a sucker or drum.

That looks like the sucker we used to "snag" out of the creeks where I grew up in Missouri. There used to be a big "sucker" day in Neoshoe (sp?) I think where they had a big party every year to celebrate the "sucker"...kind of like the Mosquito festival every year in Clute Texas.

333 - From your "fuzzy" picture and depending on your location it looks like a white sucker especially true if you are in the midwest. White suckers are a common creek species. But be cautious there are numerous species of suckers and redhorse. You might have a pale colored redhorse.