Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose WHERE DID MY FISH GO ?

Central Ky
I have not seen a single fish or minnow since November 15. I do have tons of great structure. Approximately 30% of 1acre pond has terrific structure for all different size and species. Are they all hiding? Not ever seen 1 dead. Aeration but only 1 in shallow water now since mid November . Average depth 6’ deepest 9’. My water sample this spring was pretty much perfect.
Ph 7.1. Alkalinity 60
Any help appreciated

This is what has been stocked forage fish 1 year before predators.
60 lbs fathead total   30 fathead 30 rosy reds. 1 pnd = (275 fish) 16,500 total fatheads
60 lbs shiners (120 shiners per pound) around 7200 total shiners
120 lbs minnows total 23,700 total minnows
700 papershell crayfish  
750 bluegill
375 redear
70 feedtrained bass 40 f1 tiger  30 northern Gorilla  
25 hybrid striped bass 2”-3”
10 lbs hand-painteds bluegill 1-8 in of both species
1.5 lbs. feed-trained redear 1-8 “ inches

It's typical this time of year to see the fish activity slow down tremendously. I'll bet your water temp is in the 40°F range.

Just curious, when were the Hybrid Striped Bass stocked? Those are the only fish that you may catch via casting now vs. live bait fishing for the other species.

If you fish in the pond, think of using the same terminal tackle as they do when ice fishing.

I really like your stocking plan with a ton of natural forage. I am planning to do something similar minus the hybrid striped bass.

How well are you set up to visually observe parts of the pond, and how clear is the water?

I've found that if I observe an area with structure for maybe half an hour, I'll start to see fish of various species.

All I ever see in late Fall and Winter are Gambusia along the shore, occasionally, on sunny days.

I asked a similar question last month and at a distance went out a week ago was able to observe HBG just barely poking their heads out of pallet structures. It's no easy task spotting them though, the water has been so clear only my trout are dumb enough to be out in the open but even they running in a school are smart enough to evade me at times (unless feeding - those guys & gals don't miss meals).

I think my HSB and SM are also holed up so as not to waste energy. Worried me for a few weeks but spring will tell the whole tale.

Hybrid stripers put in 3-4” in October