Stocking a fish pond

[SniperStraz]

I’m interested in building a large fish pond and stocking it with tasty fish.
Has anyone done this? Which fish breed or breeds would be easy to raise and keep?
Any tips?
Thanks!

 

[Sagan]

Channel cat. Blue gill. all tasty... ooh... and don't get more than a couple grass carp at a time.

 

[Kman]

sterile grass carp

 

[Sagan]

sterile grass carp

Exactly... forgot to mention that... Whatever you do, you do NOT want to many of them in there... royal pain to get rid of.

 

[Bioshock]

tilapia,large mouth,cat,sterile grass carp

 

[SniperStraz]

Thanks so much guys!
Is there any species that will dominate over another?

 

[Bioshock]

Thanks so much guys!
Is there any species that will dominate over another?

That is a good question.
Just think of it as a food chain.
bass and catfish will feed on tilapia and pan fish. Have brush piles for the smaller fish to
have cover/protection to propagate.

added note:burry pipe horizonaly into the banks for catfish.
I have heard it helps reduce the ammount of damage they cause to the banks.

 

[Bioshock]

also research Sodium bentonite as a water sealer for dirt "floor" pond.

 

[xGAxBlueChip]

Whatever you do make sure you don't put spotted bass in the pond. They will ruin your ponds ecosystem. As for the Carp it's kind of like an acreage thing. I wouldn't more than 3 or 4 in a 5 acre or less pond. If your simply looking for good eating fish keep it slap full of catfish, bluegill and perch. If you want a good healthy pond make sure to leave a lot of shallows and brush as well as some small grass beds. The main key is a good water supply the more water circulating the better. The summers here in Georgia can get hot enough to kill any fish in your pond if you don't have some cool moving water. There are a lot of things to take into account when designing your pond and if your not sure of these it would be wise to have someone come out and explain them before you start digging. It's much easier to get it right the first time. One thing I can attest to it would be wise to build a smaller pond above your main pond as a catch pond for all the silt.

I have seen many people just dig a deep hole and fill it up with water and within just a few years find out all the things they have messed up on. Good luck with your pond and please post some pics of you project.

-BC

 

[john2]

Bream and Catfish May or June. Largemouth Bass the next spring.