Help stocking a lake

[jamesallwood]

Hello there. I live on a smallholding that has a small lake in in its premises. I'm desperate to get it stocked with fish and open it up with a few pegs. I have no idea where to find a supplier for young fish that I could stock the pond with. Does anyone know where I could look? Many thanks

[Schoe]

Jamesallwood, it would help our other members to help you if your Profile was filled out so we could see what part of the country you are from. I'm sure we have amongst us someone close to you that could help if they knew what state you want to do this in.
Thanks for posting and asking questions as that's what WIF is about. Schoe

[capt.kirk]

a lot of states have free stocking program if the body of water
meets there specifations,let us know where your at and we may
be able to offer some help,keep in touch.:)
KIRK

[Environmentor]

Yes, many states offer free stocking programs as long as you meet their minimum requirements. Just visit your local Department of Natural Resources Fisheries websites (or equivalent state conservation organization). Find an office, number, or e-mail address and call/write/stop in and ask for information. Or, you can call your local conservation officer. Typically conservation officers are the ones who check the pond to make sure it meets the minimum qualifications. (Quick Tip, even if you don't meet the minimum qualifications sometimes they will let you slide, so give it a try.)

For example, Iowa has a free stocking program. If your pond is large enough and at least 8' deep and free of fish you can have free stocking. Also, if you have cattle your pond must be fenced off from your cattle with adequate plantings to stop run-off (appx. 100 ft.). In the fall your lake will be stocked with fingerling bluegill and catfish. The bluegill and catfish will settle in and begin to grow. The next summer you will get largemouth fingerlings, which will feed on the "new" baby bluegill that had hatched from the spring and summer. You get approximately 1000 bluegill, 100 catfish, and 75 largemouth per acre. These numbers are set based off research that provide the best fishery (it is highly recommended that you don't add adult fish which will consume the fingerlings nor add other species which upset the balance). Flathead, walleye, pike will decimate populations. Crappie will overpopulate and stunt in small private ponds. Crappie will stunt/destroy bluegill populations. Shad will do the same. Periodically if you have a weed problem, the DNR will recommend grass carp as a short term solution. NEVER ADD FISH TO A PROFESSIONALY STOCKED POND, UNLESS ADVISED BY OFFICIALS. Anytime fish are added they upset the balance, unless advised by a professional. These fish are added as fingerlings (1"); however, they grow fast. Typically by the time bass are added in the next summer, the bluegill are 3" and the catfish can be 5"-7". By the following summer they are all a "fun" size to catch. By the next summer they should be a good size for eating. Trophy fish may result by year 5. Its not a fast process, but it works well. Sometimes channels won't reproduce (unless there is adequate structure). If channel catfish populations decline more can be purchased from private vendors.

If ponds don't meet the minimum requirements for free stocking or your state doesn't have free stocking, stocking can be done through private vendors. However, if the requirements are not met it is likely the fish won't survive and the pond won't do well. Some private vendors will try to overstock your pond and charge more by telling you "aren't you planning on catching alot" or "some will get eaten". Some vendors will try to talk you into buying crappie and other fish that "you like". Some will try and talk you into adding "more" channels or bass because "they are your favorite". BEWARE OF THESE VENDORS. I advise you to follow the same numbers and patterns that your state follows. Numbers, species, and stocking times are based off years of fishery research, which in turn is based off local climate and soil types and other factors. I assure you that these numbers take into account predation and other factors and that the numbers are only approximate estimates (DON"T ARGUE WITH THE DNR DELIVERY/STOCKER, BECAUSE YOU ARE ONE FISH SHORT, ITS AN APPROXIMATION) Some state may have different numbers and species and times of stocking. NOT ALL PRIVATE VENDORS ARE GREEDY (some run a great and fair businesses and will try to help you create a great pond, not just squeeze money out of you). Contact your local fisheries for a list of private vendors in your state.

Private vendors offer different sizes to stock; however, their largest fish only has about one season's growth over fingerlings. I advise that you get the cheaper/smaller fish. Follow the same size and pattern as the state. Don't add all your fish at once or many of your bluegills will be eaten up before they can be established. Add predators last (for Iowans a 1/2 year later).

Private vendors will deliver to your pond or mail your live fish to if the numbers are small enough. State DNR runs a program every year. They typically meet at a location within several counties and all the pond owners in that area meet them there (parking lot, park, gas station, etc.). Simply bring a container of your pond water to transport the fish. The amount of water should be based on travel time and temperatures. (I have seen people with "too small" of containers like a little pail and people with "too huge" farm spray trucks with hundreds of gallons of water.) Remember the fish are small. I would recomend a garbage can of water (with a garbage bag and lid) for an average pond or a 5 gallon bucket/bag/lid per acre.

If you ever need help with your pond or have questions just give your state fishery a call, that is what they are there for.

[gofish]

a couple years ago i helped a good friend build a pond.as it got about 1/2 full i put in about 50 lbs of shiners (emerald) then the following spring he put in crappie and bluegill fingerlings and a few months later bass and cats.we did the same thing at his other pond also and both ponds offer some of the most outstanding fishing .we felt that getting the forage base in first would help keep the predation down on the stocked fish and speed growth. seems to have worked really well.

[capt.kirk]

a farmer friend of mine in indiana,built a very large pond several years
ago and it runs 3 to 14 ft deep,he started out with state stock,and the fish
begun to grow very well after some time passed we started fishing and
realesing fish,after about 6 years it was the most outstanding pond
that i have ever fished,i have taken some great fish from there,and
showed them around to my brothers,and they right of way wanted to
know where i caught them,my lips were sealed and still are as to the location
of the pond,i learned a good lesson by taking some one to a great pond,
once they have been there they think they have permisson to fish and,
and will go and take some one with them that will go back and take
someone else,pretty soon you end up with a pond that is void of any
quality fish,just a little input to remember WHO is allowed to fish your
pond that you worked so hard to build.:cool:
KIRK