Stocking a pond

[Paper Boy]

A friend of mine bought a new house up north and it has a small pond on the property. We have caught a few small bass in it so we know they are there. The last time one was caught it looked underfed.

Any one know the procedure for buying minnows and other feed fish for the bass? Permit needed to add to an already stocked pond? Or can we just got to a aquaculturist and get what we need? We have been tossing fish feed in there when we can but he is not there all the time.

[PoorRichRichard]

Contact local Fish & Game.

[GrizzlyGuy]

I'm in a similar situation and hoping to stock my new (to me) pond with rainbow trout. It currently has minnows and mosquito fish in it. DFG requires you to get a stocking permit in some instances, depending on where the pond is and the type of fish that you want to stock it with. See here, go to the bottom of the page, the 2nd-to-last linked document explains everything pretty well.

[VaderSpade]

Lot's or rules, if water runs from the pond to a creek even more rules.

One thing you can do is contact mosquito abatement. They will give some free mosquito fish for the pond. Bass love mosquito fish. If there is enough cover they will breed quite well.

[VaderSpade]

The SSS rule comes in handy here, but you just need two S's.

Stock, Shut up!

[Vacaville]

One thing you can do is contact mosquito abatement. They will give some free mosquito fish for the pond. Bass love mosquito fish. If there is enough cover they will breed quite well.

+1

Mosquito fish are your friends. As long as you have some shallow areas where they can hide from the bass they will maintain a stable population. Plus they are free. I picked some up once for a backyard pond at my old house and we had a self-sustaining population for years, plus no mosquitos.

[Paper Boy]

Lot's or rules, if water runs from the pond to a creek even more rules.

One thing you can do is contact mosquito abatement. They will give some free mosquito fish for the pond. Bass love mosquito fish. If there is enough cover they will breed quite well.

+1

Mosquito fish are your friends. As long as you have some shallow areas where they can hide from the bass they will maintain a stable population. Plus they are free. I picked some up once for a backyard pond at my old house and we had a self-sustaining population for years, plus no mosquitos.

Nice, thanks for the info. Will start with those, and then contact DFG and get the permits for the minnows.

[Paper Boy]

I'm in a similar situation and hoping to stock my new (to me) pond with rainbow trout. It currently has minnows and mosquito fish in it. DFG requires you to get a stocking permit in some instances, depending on where the pond is and the type of fish that you want to stock it with. See here, go to the bottom of the page, the 2nd-to-last linked document explains everything pretty well.

Thanks for the link ill pass it along to my buddy.

[Curley Red]

Get a book on how to stock and maintain a pond. You would be amazed at the simple mistakes people make when trying to create a good fishing pond. Certain types of fish should not be with other fish due to the fighting for food. I have seen people destroy what could have been a great pond by planting the wrong type and quantity fish.

[VaderSpade]

^^^ Good points, and remember water runs down hill (along with baby fish). I planted only catfish in my upper pond as I knew any bass would feed on their young. Bass and catfish in the lower ponds.

I also have two trout only ponds where the cold water springs feed them.

[pmoradi2002]

You can get the mosquito fish from Vector Control.

PS- I wanna fish in your ponds

[Paper Boy]

Get a book on how to stock and maintain a pond. You would be amazed at the simple mistakes people make when trying to create a good fishing pond. Certain types of fish should not be with other fish due to the fighting for food. I have seen people destroy what could have been a great pond by planting the wrong type and quantity fish.

Ya he is already looking into how to do it, he wants to do it right the first time so he is not battling it forever.

You can get the mosquito fish from Vector Control.

PS- I wanna fish in your ponds

After being up there I am now trying to figure out how I can turn the back yard of the condo into a pond....

I wish I could fish it more, its 6 hours away but I have been up there a bunch helping get the property squared away. Free food, beer and a bed and a pistol range and I was sold...

^^^ Good points, and remember water runs down hill (along with baby fish). I planted only catfish in my upper pond as I knew any bass would feed on their young. Bass and catfish in the lower ponds.

I also have two trout only ponds where the cold water springs feed them.

How many ponds do you have?!

[Blitz]

[QUOTE=8voice8;8420788]Free food, beer and a bed and a pistol range and I was sold...
QUOTE]

sounds like you're living the american dream!

[Paper Boy]

sounds like you're living the american dream!

When I have the free time to go up there I am. But I work my butt off with him and his family clearing the downed trees, splitting the wood, clearing dead brush and fixing / building fence lines. The person who had the land before him neglected alot of work....

[Ricky-Ray]

I would definitely contact DFG