Fish Types
| 1/4 Acre | 1/2 Acre | 1 Acre | |
| 2-4" Hybrid Bluegill/Sunfish | 120 | 240 | 480 |
| 3-4" Yellow Perch | 60 | 120 | 240 |
| 5-7" Largemouth Bass | 15 | 30 | 60 |
| Fathead Minnows | 8 lbs | 16 lbs | 32 lbs |
Where can I buy fish to stock my pond?
for your new pond. Harrison Fishery, Inc. is a family owned and operated business. We serve our customers with quality fish to stock ponds or lakes, competitively priced with a friendly personal touch.
How many fish should be in a 1 acre pond?
The pond should be at least half full and filling. Stock 500 bream per acre. This can be all bluegill or, if desired, 350 bluegill and 150 redear sunfish. If you want channel catfish in your pond, stock at 50 catfish per acre. Stock five triploid grass carp per acre to avoid weed problems.
What is the best fish for a backyard pond?
- Hikari Gold 4.4 Lb Medium
- Hikari Gold is a daily diet, developed through years of koi breeding and showing, to meet the nutritional needs of koi
- Provides excellent color enhancement.
How much does it cost to stock pond?
The overall price varies based on a variety of factors:
- Liner material
- Pond location
- Size
- Property soil type
What is the best fish to stock in a small pond?
If you have at least a 1-acre farm pond, there are three species of fish that do best in this size body of water: bass, bluegill, and catfish. Bass, especially largemouth bass, are a sizeable fish and great for eating. Because bass tend to be predatory, regular fishing must control their population.
Can you stock a pond with fish you catch?
To properly balance your pond, you should stock your pond with three prey fish, like perch or bluegill, for every predator fish, such as bass. This pond stocking strategy will ensure that predator fish will have a bountiful selection of prey, while still giving the prey fish a sporting chance to mature and reproduce.
What fish can you put in a fishing pond?
The most common species stocked in ponds are the largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish. Other species that can be used for specific management objectives include fathead minnows, crappie, black bullhead, redear sunfish, and gizzard shad. Green sunfish and carp are also often found in ponds.
How big of a pond do you need to stock fish?
Site Selection. A good fish pond should cover no less than half an acre and be six or eight feet deep over at least a quarter of its total surface area. The ideal spot for locating a mini-lake is in a well-banked gully that can offer five acres of watershed for each acre of pond surface.
Are perch good for a pond?
Yellow Perch are a popular choice for lakes and ponds because of their outstanding table performance. Care must be taken when stocking perch as they tend to over-populate and stunt easily.
Is crappie a good fish to stock in a pond?
White crappie has an extremely high reproductive capacity and can over populate in a body of water that is not large enough to support their numbers. While there is nothing wrong with the white crappie, they are not used in pond stocking or raised commercially.
How can I stock my pond for free?
Some states have free stocking programs. Check out your local government website to find out if your pond could qualify for these programs. If your state doesn't have such a program though, you may be able to stock your pond with fish you catch in public waters.
Do goldfish need to be fed in a pond?
Goldfish can go without food for 8 to 14 days. During this time, they scavenge their aquarium and feed off algae. In ponds, depending on the size and available algae (sometimes goldfish also eat plants, check out this list here) and insects, goldfish can go without feeding indefinitely.
How many fish can you have in a 1/4 acre pond?
Large fish will prey on newly stocked fingerlings. Obtaining a balanced predator (bass) to prey (sunfish) ratio is the key to a healthy fishery. We recommend 100 bass to 500 sunfish per acre for a self-sustaining fishery....Fish Stocking Recommendations.Swimming PondSpeciesRedear Sunfish1/4 Acre1501/2 Acre2503/4 Acre4001 Acre5005 more columns
Can fish naturally appear in a pond?
This may sound a bit unbelievable at first, but it is true. Fish and other aquatic creatures may already be living in a fresh pond (or one that refills after being dry for a while), but you may not see them until some time after their formation.
How often do you stock a pond?
Pond owners should start experiencing quality fishing in three years once ponds are properly stocked, he said. But they can speed up the process by adding more minnows, bluegill and redear during the first two years. But pond owners can speed up the process a full year, he said.
How deep should a fishing pond be?
Four feet of water will prevent excess water evaporation and keep predators from eating the fish. Steep, hard-to-climb banks will also deter predators. In warmer climates where the pond will not freeze, 4 feet is plenty. In temperate climates with mild to cold winters, 7 to 8 feet deep is preferable.
What fish are in a pond?
The three most commonly stocked trout are Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout and Brown Trout.
How many smallmouth bass should I stock in a pond?
If no Largemouth Bass are present in the pond, we recommend stocking 100 Smallmouth Bass per surface acre.
How many perch per acre?
Generally stocking 100-200 per surface acre is acceptable. Yellow perch are active predators, so stocking fathead minnows with perch is recommended.
What is a fathead minnow?
Fathead Minnows are an economical forage species to add to almost any pond or lake. These small forage fish spawn prolifically, usually reproducing several times during the summer if conditions are right. Placing any type of woody structure in shallow water will improve their spawning success.
What fish are native to Michigan?
Walleye. Walleye are a popular game fish that is native in Michigan. Walleye are best suited to large, deep bodies of water that remain fairly cool. They are voracious predators and require a very robust forage base of fathead minnows, bass, perch, and bluegills to thrive.
What temperature should I use for trout in a pond?
If you are thinking about stocking your pond with trout, it is important to make sure that the temperature of the top 6 inches of your pond never gets above 70 degrees Fahrenheit for more than a few hours at a time, and the ideal temperature for trout is between 45 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
How much do hybrid sunfish stocked per acre?
These fish are strong feeders, so a robust forage base is necessary. Hybrid Sunfish are generally stocked at a rate of 500 per surface acre.
What fish can be stocked in a fish pond?
Catfish. Catfish typically rest on the pond floor without interfering with the predator/prey balance. It is the most commonly eaten species in the United States and often one of the more inexpensive species to eat. For this reason, they make an excellent fish for stocking your fish pond. Not to mention, they can help cull ...
What fish are used in ponds?
Largemouth Bass. Largemouth bass are the most popular fish to use in a fishing pond—probably because they are one of the most common sport fish in America. The state of Tennessee even made it their official state sport fish! These fish start spawning at one year of age and go on to live an average of 16 years.
Why is it important to stock a largemouth bass pond?
When stocking your fish pond with largemouth bass, it’s important to consider their environment. Too many weeds will make it difficult for bass to find their prey, resulting in smaller fish. Too little weeds and bass might completely wipe out their prey leading to starved and stunted fish.
How many catfish per acre of pond?
Not to mention, they can help cull the bluegill population if it starts to become too populous. Simply add about 50 catfish per acre of pond as necessary and make sure there are shallow spaces and possibly running water. BTL Liners makes pond liners for fish ponds.
What is the best prey for largemouth bass?
Yellow Perch is another common prey for largemouth bass. They grow up to 10 inches in length and live an average of 9-10 years. In addition, they make an excellent panfish and can be caught using live worms, minnows, or crickets. They prefer to hug the water’s edge in weeds, reeds, or other aquatic structures.
How many perch are in a half acre pond?
As for quantity, that depends largely on the size of your pond. A half-acre pond, for example, would need roughly 240 bluegill, 120 yellow perch, and 30 largemouth bass. A one-acre pond would require 480 bluegill, 240 yellow perch, and 60 largemouth bass.
What is the best way to catch bluegills?
Bluegills are typically caught with live bait and bright colors. They bite at dawn and dusk and can be found using only a pair of polarized sunglasses. Once caught, cook bluegills into panfish—an edible fish that won’t outgrow the size of a frying pan.
Creating a Balance
To properly balance your pond, you should stock your pond with three prey fish, like perch or bluegill, for every predator fish, such as bass. This pond stocking strategy will ensure that predator fish will have a bountiful selection of prey, while still giving the prey fish a sporting chance to mature and reproduce.
Fish Types
When stocking your pond, selecting fish of similar size will help the population grow together. The number of fish you add to your population will ultimately depend on the surface area of your lake or pond. Below is an example for how to stock ponds of various sizes.
When to Stock a Pond
Spring or fall is the ideal time for pond stocking. Temperatures are mild and oxygen levels are high, so the stress factors that affect fish will be at their lowest. Once acclimated to your pond, they will be primed to flourish. Fish can also be added in the summer, but they will need a little more time to adjust.
Acclimating Fish
After stocking your pond, acclimating fish is simple. Place the transportation bag in a shaded area of the pond and let float for 15-20 minutes. This allows fish to slowly adjust to water temperatures in your pond. Next, open the bag and let the fish swim out on their own.
Habitat
Keep in mind when stocking a pond with fish that adding habitats will increase the ability for the smaller prey fish and minnows to hide and safely reproduce.
Maintenance
To keep the population of both predator and prey fish high, make sure the water is well oxygenated when pond stocking. If you do not already have an aeration system set up in your pond, now is a good time to add one.
When to stock bluegill and minnows?
This is the same plan as described above, but by stocking the Bluegill and minnows in the spring and the Bass in the fall, you can stock a lot less Bluegill and minnows. This can save you a substantial amount of money, but you may have to pay extra for delivery if you are not picking the fish up.
How much oxygen is needed for brook trout?
25 to 100 pounds of Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout or Brown Trout stocked in the fall. Rainbow and Brown Trout require water temperatures below 72F and Dissolved Oxygen Levels above 5ppm – this eliminates roughly 90% of Midwestern ponds during the summer, but not during fall, winter & spring!
How many redear sunfish per acre?
If Bluegill and Bass are already established, more than 100 Redear Sunfish per acre may be needed.
How many bluegill and pumpkinseeds per acre?
If Bluegill and Bass are already established, more than 100 Pumpkinseeds per acre may be needed.
Is there a single way to stock a pond?
Every pond is different, and there is no single way to go about stocking or maintaining your fish population. However, there are rough general fish stocking recommendations and guidelines that will give you an idea of possible stocking scenarios.
Do walleye like to stay in a pond?
Also it is only for deep ponds that either have clear water or an Aeration System, because Walleye like to stay deep, and typically only these types of ponds have oxygen near the bottom. The plan is for the Perch to reproduce and the Walleye feed on them. This sounds easy, but Perch are somewhat unpredictable in ponds.
Can smallmouth bass control bluegill?
It’s a tricky thing to establish a stable food chain in a pond using Smallmouth Bass. Typically they will not control Bluegill, but would wipe out minnows, so the struggle is in finding the right forage species to balance the population. The answer might be Pumpkinseed.
What is the best combination for a bass pond?
For sustained fishing quality, the basic largemouth bass-bluegill combination is the best starting point, and several additional species can be added.
How many catfish per acre?
If you want channel catfish in your pond, stock at 50 catfish per acre. Stock five triploid grass carp per acre to avoid weed problems. For lakes larger than 10 acres that have much open water, stock three grass carp per acre.
When do bluegill spawn?
Bluegill and redear sunfish fingerlings stocked in the fall and winter will spawn the next spring. Stock largemouth bass fingerlings in the spring to coincide with the first bream spawn. They feed on the small bream, preventing an overpopulation of bream.
Do you have to restock a pond in Mississippi?
With the exception of catfish and grass carp, it is not necessary to restock the pond. Adding fish to the pond year after year can lead to overcrowding and stunted fish. This has ruined the fishing in many ponds in Mississippi.
Can you restock catfish?
You can restock catfish after you remove more than half of the fish from the original stocking. Remember to stock larger (8- to 10-inch) catfish to avoid feeding catfish to your bass in established ponds.
What can be added to a pond to create a more productive environment for fish?
This provides the best environment for the fish and the pond’s food chain. Crushed agricultural limestone, hydrated lime, quicklime or slaked lime can be added to low-alkalinity or low pH ponds to create a more productive environment for fish and their food prior to stocking, he said. Hydrated lime, quicklime or slaked lime cannot be added ...
When to add sportfish to pond?
Adding bass and other sportfish. Sportfish should be added the next spring and early summer, Sink said. Bass fingerlings should be available to add by May or June, he said. Stocking catfish should be ready to add by July or August. Ponds should be stocked with one largemouth bass for every 10 sunfish stocked, he said.
How many redear sunfish per acre?
If fertilizing, add 1,000 bluegill or 800 bluegill and 200 redear sunfish per acre. Redear can grow substantially larger than bluegill and they don’t compete for food, he said.
How long before fertilization for fish?
And treat any submerged rooted vegetation with an appropriate approved aquatic herbicide before starting fertilization. Fertilization will ideally start 10-14 days before stocking juvenile fish for the first time, Sink said. This develops a strong food chain and increases the odds of establishing a good fish population.
What to do if fish are not growing in pond?
If fish in your pond are not growing as fast or getting as large as you want, the answer is to harvest more fish. Especially focus on predatory fish like bass and catfish. By removing mouths that have to be fed, more food is available for remaining fish and the faster they will grow.”.
When to stock ponds in Texas?
April 8, 2020. Springtime is the right time to begin the process of stocking new ponds with fish, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert. Todd Sink, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension aquaculture specialist, College Station, said many landowners believe simply adding fish to a pond will result in a healthy and sustainable fish population.
Is it necessary to stock bass?
Stocking more bass will never be necessary, unless there is a fish kill, because bass typically overpopulate in ponds, he said. “When fishing starts to decline in a pond, people think stocking more fish, especially bass, is the answer,” he said. “But you have to think of a pond like a bowl with a limited amount of food it can produce.
What fish should I stock in a pond in Missouri?
The most widely used and successful combination in Missouri is channel catfish, bluegill and largemouth bass. The concept of this stocking combination is that the bluegill eat small aquatic insects and in turn serve as food for bass. The bass control the numbers of small bluegill so that those remaining grow to large size.
How big should a pond be for stocking?
The following charts are provided for your quick reference. NOTE: Rather than measuring with a tape measure, step off the distance. One step should equal about 2-1/2 feet. 2.
What fish can you use in Missouri?
The most widely used and successful combination in Missouri is channel catfish, blue gill and largemouth bass . The concept of this stocking combination is that the bluegill eat small aquatic insects and in turn serve as food for bass. The bass control the numbers of small bluegill so that those remaining grow to large size. ...
