Stocking a pond

[Jlblake]

Good morning -

I just bought property with a pond. I had a company come out to analyze the pond. I received some good feedback but not as much detail as I was hoping for. I was given stocking recommendations.

My question: have any of you stocked your own ponds? I did some price shopping comparisons for the quote I received and found wide variance in price. I also found many different thoughts on stocking ratios. Goals weren't part of the discussion as much as I think they should have been. I'm not wanting trophy bass, I want fun times. I'm thinking about stocking about half of what the quote was and buying the fish at another fishery. Have any of you done that? What should I know before I take this project on?

Thanks!

********************************************************************************
Needed to rephrase the question:

I'm not asking about whether I should stock it or about the feedback I received. I just want to know if any of you have restocked your own pond and if you have any other suggestions for how to successfully do so. I also wanted to know if anyone has experience adjusting the volume pro rata. Thanks.

 

[drssg]

Silly question, but are you sure it needs stocking? We had our pond dug, and I was surprised by how quickly fish showed up. If the pond will support fish, they are probably already there.

The fishery's goal is to sell fish, so I suspect it is common for them to suggest high stocking numbers.

 

[Jlblake]

Silly question, but are you sure it needs stocking? We had our pond dug, and I was surprised by how quickly fish showed up. If the pond will support fish, they are probably already there.

The fishery's goal is to sell fish, so I suspect it is common for them to suggest high stocking numbers.

I don't think that's a silly question. The truth is I don't know. I know I have fish. I have big fish and I have a variety. Catfish, bass, perch...they're all in there. Maybe the answer is to fish it for a while and see. I just know it takes time so I want to get started as early as possible if I do need them. The other thing is that they are relatively inexpensive if I'm just stocking. I can stock 1/2 or 1/3 of the recommendation to save money. I don't see how that could hurt but then again, I don't know anything about ponds...or fish either really.

Thanks for the input.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I considered it, but just too much on my plate and I would feel responsible for the little fishies.

Of course, they gave you "good feedback" lol

 

[fatjay]

What is the goal of the pond? To fish it and feed a family of 4 every night? If not, i have good news, fish reproduce on their own! So if you only occasionally fish the pond, chances are you're not going to deplete it and the fish will do their job of restocking all on their own.

 

[Jlblake]

I considered it, but just too much on my plate and I would feel responsible for the little fishies.

Of course, they gave you "good feedback" lol

guess you'd have to know what I learned to know if good feedback was funny or not, right? I learned with perfect clarity that the pond is in good shape...no leaks, dock is good, water quality is good and there are a variety of fish in the pond. It truly was good feedback. Could have been better but I got what I paid for...which would be another important part of the equation...what did I pay for what I got.

 

[Stan B]

We had our pond dug, and I was surprised by how quickly fish showed up.

I assume it is connected to another body of water, right? If not, how in the world....

 

[MossRoad]

I don't think that's a silly question. The truth is I don't know. I know I have fish. I have big fish and I have a variety. Catfish, bass, perch...they're all in there. Maybe the answer is to fish it for a while and see. I just know it takes time so I want to get started as early as possible if I do need them. The other thing is that they are relatively inexpensive if I'm just stocking. I can stock 1/2 or 1/3 of the recommendation to save money. I don't see how that could hurt but then again, I don't know anything about ponds...or fish either really.

Thanks for the input.

How large is the pond? Perch do not usually do well in small ponds.

Around here (northern Indiana) they (the fish stocking people) often suggest a mix of bass, bluegill, and channel catfish. Something like 1 pound of bass for every 10 pounds of bluegill to start. Channel catfish won't reproduce well unless you provide places for baby catfish to hide from bass.

I'd say do a fish inventory of your existing pond first before spending any money on stocking. You might already have the correct species in there. Then it's a matter of balancing out the species. For example, if you have an overabundance of small fish, keep as many of them as you can. Eat or use as garden fertilizer. Through all the large predators back in to help keep the small ones in check. Balance the weeds to provide not too much hiding places for small fish, etc....

 

[Jlblake]

I assume it is connected to another body of water, right? If not, how in the world....

believe it or not, supposedly birds drop fish eggs and a remote body of water will populate with fish over time...as long as that particular water is viable source for fish to live in.

 

[Jlblake]

How large is the pond? Perch do not usually do well in small ponds.

Around here (northern Indiana) they (the fish stocking people) often suggest a mix of bass, bluegill, and channel catfish. Something like 1 pound of bass for every 10 pounds of bluegill to start. Channel catfish won't reproduce well unless you provide places for baby catfish to hide from bass.

I'd say do a fish inventory of your existing pond first before spending any money on stocking. You might already have the correct species in there. Then it's a matter of balancing out the species. For example, if you have an overabundance of small fish, keep as many of them as you can. Eat or use as garden fertilizer. Through all the large predators back in to help keep the small ones in check. Balance the weeds to provide not too much hiding places for small fish, etc....

Thanks for the good feedback. The pond is 4 acres. I was hoping to have the fishery folks provide a fish count but they just do some sampling and they won't extrapolate. I know I can track what I catch but I am not the most successful fisherman (hope that changes). The fish people gave me a suggestion for how many of each species and from fishery company to company they really don't deviate all that much. I'm thinking I can half-stock and be fine though. I'm not feeding a family with the fish, just having fun. We will take fish out though.