How to introduce fish to pond

SteveM · Apr 24, 2002

Just had a 50x70x7' pond dug, full of water (muddy) from nearby stream and springs. Now to bring in fish - can anyone give advice, resources for how to balance fish population? How long should I wait to start throwing in sunfish? just kidding.

Thanks for any and all help

Golfgar4 · Apr 24, 2002

Steve,

I'm sure you'll get some very good answers from those that know, but why don't you contact your state's Department of Natural Resources? I'm sure they could assist with getting you the information that you need. And besides, you might as well make use of some of the taxes you've paid out! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

We don't know what state you're in until you finish filling out your bio. Someone close by might be able to help. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

rmorgan · Apr 25, 2002

Steve --

Good information is at this Inspired by Nature, has interesting pieces with a more commercial tone.

gws · Apr 25, 2002

Good morning Mr fish, meet Mr pond, Mr Pond meet mr fish! -

rdln · Apr 25, 2002

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Is the water always muddy from the current creating turbulence? That might choke the fish.

With it being new you will have a lack of frogs, crayfish and such for a year so I would add a lot of shiners (golden or fathead)

try <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.thepondguy.com>http://www.thepondguy.com</A> for fish capacity for the size of pond.

TonyC · Apr 25, 2002

Don't confuse information on garden ponds with what I call farm ponds. Garden ponds are usually smaller, have rubber liners and filters. For a farm pond, the balances are very different. I can't find the name of the last company I used but if you find fisheries on the Internet that will be a start. Often local farm supply houses can order and have live fish shipped in. Of course, local would be better.

With these guys you merely supply the basic dimensions and depth of the pond along with what types of fish you desire. They will provide you with the appropriate quantity of fingerlings along with all other required species in the food chain. In other words they will figure everythiing from tadpoles up to those huge Florida strain bass and everything in between. They, of course, will also provide good instructions. Good Luck! I'm jealous!/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Golfgar4 · Apr 25, 2002

<font color=blue>"They, of course, will also provide good instructions.'</font color=blue>

They, of course, will also provide a good bill! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

TonyC · Apr 25, 2002

/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif<font color=blue>They, of course, will also provide a good bill!</font color=blue>/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Well, yeah, you have a point! But I have not found that it's a bankbreaker. I have stocked moderately sized ponds for between $100 and $200 dollars. Not too awful bad...unless you think it's a fish story!!!!/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif/w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

njrqs · Apr 25, 2002

Ensuur eyou don't introduce dodgy species. If/whenyour pond overflows, they will invade the native watercourses.

We have big problems over here with Carp.

Anonymous Poster · Apr 26, 2002

The water, after about 3 days, is now a beautiful blue green. A healthy spring feeds the pond, and it outlets into a large stream. We used the stream to fill the pond initially, so there may be some fish already. In the stream I have seen perch, shiners and sunfish. We found some local fisheries, and seem to be well on our way - we do have to get a permit to stock first. Thanks for all your help! I will post pics as it progresses.