Need advice on stocking a pond!

Hey there, I have the opportunity to stock my first pond. It is located in the Garberville area and gets its water from a nearby stream. The pond is not very big (less than an acre) but is full of salamanders and life.

Ive done some online research but was wondering if anyone has had personal experience. Any suggestions as where to get the fish? Ratio of fish species? Or any general tips.

Ill post a picture of the pond tomorrow and some more info. Thanks!

-Baron

I have absolutely no words of wisdom on how to do it but I'll be closely following this thread because I've always been intrigued by the idea.

I do believe you need clearance from DFW in order to obtain fish.  Out of curiosity, what species are you looking at putting into the pond?

Pm me I just set up a 1/4 acre pond.  I'llbe c  lad to share what I have learned

Thanks snowfighter, that's the same size pond I'm looking at. Where was this pond at? Ill pm you more questions

Whatever you do, do not introduce spotted bass or that's all you'll have in a few years. Remember to always thin the herd. If you don't fry up small ones that's all you 'll have as well. If you allow a pond to mature without thinning the small bass they will multiply and choke the pond. Eventually you'll catch a fish ever cast that's 4". Also make sure you supplement with some bluegill/bream/redear and catfish. Keeps a better balance.

Whatever you do, do not introduce spotted bass or that's all you'll have in a few years. Remember to always thin the herd. If you don't fry up small ones that's all you 'll have as well. If you allow a pond to mature without thinning the small bass they will multiply and choke the pond. Eventually you'll catch a fish ever cast that's 4". Also make sure you supplement with some bluegill/bream/redear and catfish. Keeps a better balance.

Or any bass/sunfish. There is a reason that you need to get permission from DFW.  I bet you could get permission to plant Sac perch.

I was thinking largemouth bass, blue gill and minnows. Trout would be cool but I'm not sure.

Start in the next few weeks with blue gill and minnows then bass in a month or two.

Whatever you do, do not introduce spotted bass or that's all you'll have in a few years. Remember to always thin the herd. If you don't fry up small ones that's all you 'll have as well. If you allow a pond to mature without thinning the small bass they will multiply and choke the pond. Eventually you'll catch a fish ever cast that's 4". Also make sure you supplement with some bluegill/bream/redear and catfish. Keeps a better balance.

Or any bass/sunfish. There is a reason that you need to get permission from DFW.  I bet you could get permission to plant Sac perch.

Now I want to catch a Sac Perch.  Where?  Let's do it!!!

-Allen

I have minnows,  crawdads, bluegill, LM bass. I only keep about 6 bass and keep any bass over 10 inches as it is a small pond. That way you get larger bluegill. If you don't have any bass the BG will overpopulate and be stunted.

I have minnows,  crawdads, bluegill, LM bass. I only keep about 6 bass and keep any bass over 10 inches as it is a small pond. That way you get larger bluegill. If you don't have any bass the BG will overpopulate and be stunted.

If you want to plant sac perch, then you can't plant any other centrarchids as they will outcompete the perch.

Call CADFW to find out your options.

Whatever you do, do not introduce spotted bass or that's all you'll have in a few years. Remember to always thin the herd. If you don't fry up small ones that's all you 'll have as well. If you allow a pond to mature without thinning the small bass they will multiply and choke the pond. Eventually you'll catch a fish ever cast that's 4". Also make sure you supplement with some bluegill/bream/redear and catfish. Keeps a better balance.

Or any bass/sunfish. There is a reason that you need to get permission from DFW.  I bet you could get permission to plant Sac perch.

Now I want to catch a Sac Perch.  Where?  Let's do it!!!

-Allen

Your best bet is Crowley or Pyramid.

I was thinking largemouth bass, blue gill and minnows. Trout would be cool but I'm not sure.

Start in the next few weeks with blue gill and minnows then bass in a month or two.

This is illegal, and can potentially cause damage to native fish populations.

Don't do it.

Why is it illegal? There are no fish species in there at the moment. The pond fully dried during the lack of rain but then refilled.

Why is it illegal? There are no fish species in there at the moment. The pond fully dried during the lack of rain but then refilled.

I assumed you planned on going out and catching some fish to put in your pond, which is a violation of F&G code.  If you want to stock bass or sunfish, and your pond qualifies for stocking, then you need to get them from a registered aquaculturalist. You may also need a permit.

The link below should answer any questions.



https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=3252&inline=true

Please get any required permits and exercise utmost care. Any mistake would be potentially disastrous, fish get out of containment. If water gets in fish can likely get out. I have done many things that were illegal and have learned that usually illegality alone is sufficient reason to not do something. In THIS case the reason is fairly clear to protect native species.