Should I stock my Pond?

Creating a Balanced Ecosystem in your Pond:

To properly balance your pond, you should stock your pond with prey fish and a predator fish. This strategy will ensure that predator fish will have of prey. When you have properly stocked your pond, your fish population will tend to keep itself in check. When you first stock your pond, we recommend adding some fathead minnows to feed the predator fish while the prey become established.

Fish Types:

Native Bluegill
Perch
Largemouth Bass
Fathead Minnows

Spring and Fall are ideal times to stock your pond. With mild temperatures and high oxygen levels the stress factors on fish are at their lowest, increasing the sucess of your pond stocking.

Fish Habitat:

Adding fish habitat will increase the ability for small prey fish, such as bluegills and minnows, to hide and safely reproduce. Giving a safe space for reproduction your pond will start to keep itself in check and balanced. Existing weeds will provide some cover, but there are structures specifically designed to attract fish. Fish structures increase habitat without the risk of decomposition.

Pond Maintenance:

The keep the population of you fish healthy it is extremely important to make sure the water is well oxygenated. If you do not already have an aeration system now is a good time to add one. Adding fish to your pond increasesthe waste which can decrease the oxygen supply in your pond. Adding an aeration system and beneficial bacteria will decrease toxic gases, and increase dissolved oxygen in the water, preventing harmful fish kills and algae blooms.

Take a look at our variety of fish food available to support your pond.

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