Across the country and especially here in the Southeast, there are ponds, large and small, scattered across the countryside.  Some are tucked away in hidden hollows or found in the middle of a large tract of woods.  It seems that everywhere that a farmer could dam one end of a ravine in order to provide water for his livestock, dam it he would.  Many of these ponds, or tanks as they’re called in some places, were never stocked with fish but eventually ended up with a sizable population of minnows and bream.  Whether by birds losing a prized catch at a stopover or by fry being picked up and deposited by some weather anomaly, some fish seem to always find their way into a waterhole by some means.  Throughout the south, many of these ponds were later stocked with catfish.  A few with common mud cats or blue cats, caught out of nearby streams or rivers, and some professionally stocked with channel cats to provide years of enjoyment and good food on the family farm.

Unfortunately, not all these ponds that were stocked were conducive to catfish breeding.  Some were helped along with the introduction of old tires, barrels, or drainage tiles, but many were fished until all that was left were a few old fish and a ballooning population of bream and other small fish.  Minnows are almost always present and even shiners can be found in places.

In recent years, some of these large tracts of farm land have been cross-sectioned and sold as smaller tracts.  A new land owner may find he has an old pond on his property that has been neglected over the years but still has the potential to become a fantastic get-away.  It can be a place to relax on the bank and watch a bobber float around or to picnic with family and friends.  Maybe even that special, out of the way, place where a grandchild’s memories are built, never to be forgotten.  These hidden gems should be nurtured and if not manicured, then at least cared for.  Learning to skip rocks, catch frogs and tadpoles, and just seeing the wildlife that uses such a place may well be the spark that ignites the outdoorsman’s spirit in some youngster that will shine for many generations to come.  A few trips around the pond, fishing that secret spot out of a flat bottom boat or a canoe can mean the world to a kid who’s been glued to a video game for who knows how long.

While bream, shell crackers, and bluegill are  fine eating, very fun to catch, and are a great way to introduce young ones to fishing, there are some ways to make that old, spent fishing hole spring to life again.  One such way is the introduction of bass or more catfish into the food chain.  While some will say that bass, black or striped, aren’t as good to eat as some other game fish, when deep fried and served with hush-puppies and slaw with a tall glass of sweet tea, they’re pretty hard to beat. 

In deciding what species of fish you want to stock, a couple of things should be considered.  If table fare is all you’re after, then restocking with channel catfish and improving the available bedding will probably be easy and affordable.  Just remember, channel cats need dark, covered hiding places in order to multiply.  As mentioned earlier, construction tiles, culverts, or even a few old tractor tires placed in the bottom of the pond will likely do the trick. To prevent trapped air, simply drill several one inch holes in the sidewall of the tire and it will sink like a rock.  If sport and good eating is what you’re after, you might want to stock bass, catfish and bluegill.  Florida largemouth bass can be purchased in many areas and have incredible growth rates in healthy ponds. These fish can gain up to two pounds a year with plenty of feeder fish available and can reach up to fourteen pounds in a good pond.  If there are already some northern black bass in the pond, when they cross with the Florida strain, the hybrid, sometimes called Tiger bass, will grow quick but not as large as Florida largemouth and are tenacious fighters and very aggressive on the bite.  If your pond doesn’t contain a healthy population of feeder fish, it is a good idea to stock some bluegill.  They are both tasty for the angler and provide food for larger fish.  If your pond is already abundantly populated by bream or bluegill, you may be able to skip this step.  You may even wish to stock your pond with some hybrid bluegill.  These fast growing breeds tend to get larger and more aggressive than common bluegills but usually will not reproduce in sufficient numbers to be a viable source of food for the bass and/or catfish.

An important factor in the success of stocking is vegetation.  A pond devoid of all vegetation leaves no place for the fingerlings to hide and hunt.  A three to four inch largemouth will stalk and attack a fly or some other small insect just like a three to four pounder will prey on lizards or frogs.  Too much vegetation can also be a problem.  The introduction of ten to twenty grass carp per acre can help in this area.  These fish usually sell for about $6.00 each, but can be a good investment.  They generally do not feed on the young fish and will help keep your pond clean and healthy.  The Amure or Asian grass carp are thought to only reproduce in two rivers in the world.  They will not multiply and overcrowd your pond.  The number of these fish you introduce to your pond will remain steady, changing only when some of the fish die off. If you want to introduce Asian grass carp, they should be stocked when they are around eight to ten inches long. 

In preparing your pond for stocking, certain predators should be dealt with and their numbers minimized.  Turtles, both snapping turtles and sliders, can decimate a newly stocked fry population.  Their numbers should be reduced by any and all means possible within the law. 

The number of fish to be stocked depends on the species and the size of the pond.  According to Lane Pettit of Pettit Catfish Farm in Blount County, Alabama, largemouth bass should be stocked at a rate of 100 to 150 fingerlings per acre.  The fingerlings will be three to four inches long and cost about a dollar each.  Bluegill or shell crackers, on the other hand, should be introduced at a rate of around 1,000 per acre.  These fish should be one to two inches in length and can be bought for $35 to $50 per hundred.  Channel cats of four to six inches should be stocked at approximately 100 fish per acre and sell for around $35 per hundred.  Pettit went on to say that they now have a strain of striped bass that will feed on top water pelletized feed much like catfish will.  He added that supplemental feeding of catfish is encouraged and makes for an overall healthier population.  Supplemental feeding is also an excellent way to get an idea of how many fish survive and what their general health is, as you will be able to observe the fish for extended periods of time while feeding.

After you have decided what species of fish you would like to stock, you must then decide where you will get them.  Stocking your pond with fish you’ve caught at someone else’s pond, a lake, or a nearby creek might not be in your best interest.  Misidentification could lead to an unwanted species being introduced, such as mud cats or green sunfish.  There is also the risk of introducing diseased or parasite ridden fish that could infect the rest of the population.  It is best to find a reputable hatchery in your area so that the fish can be transferred to your pond in a timely manner.  Large orders may be delivered by the hatchery in a vehicle designed especially for this, while small orders may have to be picked up and transported by you the buyer.  Getting your fish to your pond uninjured and with as little stress as possible is crucial.  Rough handling and extreme temperature changes should be avoided.  The hatchery usually will provide a large plastic bag for you to move your fish in and will oxygenate the water for the trip.  If the water temperature in your pond differs by more than ten or fifteen degrees from the water that the fish are being transported in, the fish will need to be acclimated, just like when you add fish to your home aquarium.  You can do this by putting the bag containing the new fish in the edge of the pond in the shallow water and letting the water temperatures slowly equalize.  This may take a while but will stress the fish less and increase the survival rate.

When to stock your pond depends on the area you live in and the climactic conditions at the time. Lowering stress on the fish and maximizing survival is the ultimate goal.  Most hatcheries tend to grow fish in the summer for sale and stocking in the fall.  If stocking in the fall, consider the depth of the water in your pond as anything less than five feet raises the risk of losing fish in the winter.

However you decide to stock; whether it is catfish, bream, bass or some other favorite, consult your local hatchery first.  These folks will be glad to aid you in your decision and provide tips on how to ready your pond for introduction.  They can tell you if the species you plan to stock is apt to do well or if maybe you should reconsider your choice.  With a little work and minimal investment, that watering hole can become a maker of memories and a legacy to be passed on.  Good luck, and oh, I think you’ve got a bite!

Pictures courtesy of US Dept. of Interior/ Bureau of Reclamation

By Miscellaneous Authors

This section is for articles published by a host of amateur authors. Some of these authors are former staff members but many of them are just regular people that had an article in their heart they wanted published. Here at TalkHunting, we believe everyone has a message and we try to accomodate that when possible.

Comments(2):

1. Great information

   I didn't realize how inexpensive it could be to stock a pond. I will be looking into this a little more serious now. Thank you.

   Wednesday, November 03, 2010 Brent

2. Turn That Old Fishing Hole Into Angler Paradise, loved it!!!

   We are thinking of a small pond on our land. Something less than a half acre. Reading your story has me wondering if we can put fish in it, maybe if we get it deep enough and have an air pump? Thanks for this story.

   Friday, December 10, 2010 Wilton