pond photo before

[MDNY]

Don,

PBR me ASAP. Couldn't resist.

 

[SteveM]

I just had a 50x70x7' pond dug - lots of good flow from a spring and a healthy stream. What to do next? I want to stock it with fish - where do I learn the best mix of breeds, where to purchase fish (if at all) and where did you get the dye?

Thanks

 

[Dozernut]

There are two avenues open to you in stocking your pond. You can go to to your county soil and water conservation office, In our county its jointly with the USDA. They have pamplets and programs for pond stocking. They also sell fish but you might be too late for this spring (it is in our area) and have to wait for fall. You can buy fish from private sellers, go to your local farm store and read the bulletin board, Sellers will post there. Do not just throw any fish in your pond. Start by introducing a minnow (food fish) into your pond. Fathead minnows are excellent. You need to have these minnows in the pond by themself so they can breed and populate the pond. You should not introduce another species for several months. When you put in your "main" fish they need to be approximately the same size so one won't exterminate the others. This gives all species time to breed and establish a viable population. If nothing else go to the library and read up on this. If you throw large bass or catfish into the pond with fingerlings, the pond will be out of balance and never produce like it should.