Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose 1 Month until Stocking

I agree. For a LMB pond BG and RES are much better than HBG.

"I also thought that CC were good because of their scavenging. You know, cleaning the pond of dead stuff, kind of like bacteria."

Did anyone address this comment?

If you are going after growing large bass, the Channel Cats will detract from that goal as they eat the same things that bass eat. They really are not "bottom feeders" as many folks believe.

i agree on the cats sunil. cm, if you want cats thats great, but they will be using up biomass the bass could use. you'll have to weigh the options. cats will add alot of diversity and great table fare, but IMO will detract from a pure trophy bass objective.

Thanks for the input on the cats. I'll have to think long and hard about this issue. I'm also struggling with the decision to add black crappie 3-4 years down the road. I want fish to eat so I'm leaning towards stocking the cats and crappie. I know a lot of people say don't add crappie but damn they're good to eat. Same with the cats. I know I'll be taking enough out each year to manage the population. I'd rather not eat the bass, just catch them.

I'm not expert but from what I have read in books and on here about crappie the main reason why they are discouraged is because they are early spawners and will feed on the fry of bass, bg, etc which allows them to grow faster while denting the next generation of the fellow fish that inhabit that body of water as well as competing with bass for food. I am sure if you stock some bass in there that have some size they will control some of the population, allowing you to have large crappie. I apologize if I am mistakened but that is the jist that I have gotten from lurking on here. Hopefully the experts will chime in soon.

OK, given the new information I have revised the stocking numbers:
October 2008: 2000 BG, 600 RES, 30 lbs. FHM, ? GAMS
May 2009: 100 LMB, 50 FSB, 50 F1, 50 CC
October 2010: golden shiners
2012: introduce threadfin and gizzard shad, black crappie

What do you think? I think I will be stocking this Friday!!

Why the long wait for the Shiners?

I was going to use them as an intermittent forage between fatheads and shad. What's your opinion on this?

Good usage. Stock 'em earlier and let 'em multiply.

Will do. What do you think about next fall?

cmfulmer I think Theo means stock them before the bass even. At least that is what I am going to do im my pond. But Ill let Theo speak for himself. IIRC he has them in his ponds.

Yes put in the GShiners with the early stocking Fall 08 or at latest early spring 09 well before the LMB.

Stock them by next Spring to let them get in a 2009 spawn.

Will do. Is there anything I need to do before I stock the fish like check the pH or alkalinity? If so, is there a test kit that I can buy to do this?

When someone answers his question, can they point me to a link or tell me, what the Ideal Ph range is for a fish pond. Also the alkalinity and hardness?

these two threads may be more info than you want but they have excellent discussions of pH, alkalinity, hardness and more.

http://www.pondboss.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=38784&fpart=1

http://www.pondboss.com/forums/ubbthread...ite_id=1#import

Anybody have a good idea for a water test kit? Digital or strip, whichever is easier and keeping economy in mind.

CM, just reread previous post stating you were stocking tomorrow, if that is the case disregard following...

CM,
I'm probably going to get in trouble for this, but...Go getcha' some fish. You started this thread on Sep 8, isn't it driving you crazy having 20' of water in your pond and no fish. You are doing a disservice to those poor fingerlings relegated to the hatchery pond at your local fish farm.

I know PH, Alkanity, ....and all that other stuff is important, but look around you, your pond will have similar charecteristics to the ponds around you. You're in Conway, AR, unless your watershed is heavily pine forested, you'll be fine.

Probably not the reccomended approach, but when I had 2' of water in what is now a 23' spot, 5 lbs of "sacrificial" fatheads went in, they sqawned within a week, heck you have 20' of water!

You're far enough south that you will get significant growth on your bluegill this fall and winter, especially if you feed. If you can find some larger bluegill say 4 to 6", you can probably get a spawn next summer. Just my ignorant opinion, put some fish in that hole.

Disclaimer: The views of previous text are not in any way associated with scientific or reccommended fish stocking strategy, and said views are materially influenced by the desire to stand on the bank, watch fish munch on pellets, and drink bud light. Not necesarily in that order.

Pedro,
It is VERY hard to wait, especially when looking at all that empty water. I'm sure the water is fine I was just trying to learn a few things about water quality and find a tester that I can use down the road. It's easier for me to do the research and buy the right tools ahead of time before you need them, then to need them in a hurry and end up buying the wrong ones.

I stocked today. 2000 BG, 600 RES and 30 pounds of FHM. I may stock some golden shiners in a few weeks as well.

First I tempered the bags for about 10-15 minutes until the water was relatively close in temperature.


First we put in the BG.


Then the RES.


Then the FHM.




I got the fish in Lonoke, AR from JM Malone and Son. The guy was very knowledgable. We transported them in plastic bags. The FHM were placed in very large plastic bags and then placed in plastic garbage cans. There were a few fish that were DOA, but I consider that collateral damage.


Most of the dead ones were FHM but there were about 5 BG that didn't make it.
The water is looking alot better. Probably 5 inches of clarity, maybe more.
Anyway, that's what I've been doing today. The

congratulations cm!!

i was really excited the first time i stocked my pond.

dont forget its national talk like a pirate today....i hope you told yer new babies
"....ahoy mateys....enjoy yer new crib....yarrrr"

Great pics. I believe you have your RES (speckled sides) and BG (barred sides and more visible ear tabs) labels backwards.

Nothing like a fun day stocking the little rascals ! !

i thought the same thing theo. there's also a BF tadpole in with the FHMs.

wish i could stock more.....its more like i'll be drag netting dead bodies if we dont get some rain.

CM, how many bags of fish did you have in all? just wondering