Crappie tend to require extra management and often cause over population problems in a small 0.2 ac pond. They need unique conditions (management) to grow large ones especially in a small pond. Other suggested fish species will provide easier management and better overall fishing esp for the kids. Several fish options are mentioned. Initially I would leave out the catfish or only stock 10-25 in that small of pond. IF you add catfish plan to remove everyone you catch due to the long term problems they can cause.
If larger bass (14"-16") are desired then you will need to have regular Bgill to feed the bass and allow some of them to get bigger than 10". Hyb BG initially grow well esp on pellets and are great fishing for kids and several initial bass 10-20 and their offspring will reproduce and keep HBG numbers well controlled. If you feed the fish pellets the pond will grow more pounds of fish and bigger fish, thus higher stocking numbers can be initially stocked as per suggested above (300 sunfish types). HBG and regular BG (or coppernose BG) was suggested because the BG will reproduce better than HBG and provide more food for bass. Pros and cons to this concept.
HBG tend to be fast initial growers and more aggressive biters thus anglers usually catch more of them compared to regular BG which is why HBG are often suggested for an emphasis for kids fishing ponds.
Since you plan to stock all your fish at one time and not wait to build up a forage fish food base then stock more of the minnows (FHM) (10-16 lbs) to jump start growth of the bass so they as predators provide overall optimum predation of small sunfish.
Since your pond is prone to drought try our Forum fishery ideas and later if you need restock and can spend time here learning more about crappie management, you could try crappie. Growing crappie successfully in small waters is a steep learning curve not really for beginners.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 06/23/15 10:30 AM.
