Stocking ponds

[fishhound]

Ive thought about stocking ponds in the past and have stocked 1 pound and stocked it well but it dryed up! Just my luck! Lol.. Anyway i have recently moved to a prime area to move fish from one area two anther just wondering is there any laws that prohibit this? I fish mostly for catfish& bass.

[BassBest]

Never illegally harvest a fish, and you will be fine. Below is a site that will tell what species are bad combinations and such, and also info for stocking fingerlings for a very low price!
http://www.kdfwr.state.ky.us/sum02mg7.asp

[fishhound]

thanks for the link bassbest. were i live i have a few ponds in mind to stock what im shooting for is to pond hop makeing more honeyholes for myself & familly/friends. ive been offered to fish two ponds that were stocked 8+ yrs ago that is not fished much at all! the land owner dont fish much at all but the few times they have fished them the bass r breakeing there lines ive been offerd to fish this ponds at least a year ive yet been will go this spring. anyway my go is to stock more ponds to be like this ponds never need to take my boat out lol... but jst to monster catfish..

[publican57]

There is a publication on stocking ponds and the right combination of fish. Although you mainly fish for bass and catfish; you will probably want bluegill and carp to help management.

I will look for the publication when I get home tonight and let you know more. You might call fish and wildlife and let them know what they are doing and they may know right off hand and be able to mail or email the publication to you. It is very thorough.

[publican57]

The publication is called "A Management Guide for Ponds and Small Lakes in Kentucky" and is compiled by Kentucky Fish and Wildlife.

PM me with your email address and I will email it to you or order it from KFW. Good luck.

[lroberts]

I would just be careful about putting Crappie in a pond that doesn't already have some in it....they can take over a pond in a matter of a few years! Also, I would fish these ponds a few times before you stock them, chances are they already have fish in them. I know it sounds crazy, but i have seen too many ponds be ruined by having too many fish, and not the other way around. Too many fish = too many small fish (especially bass).

[publican57]

[QUOTE=lroberts;437997]I would just be careful about putting Crappie in a pond that doesn't already have some in it....they can take over a pond in a matter of a few years!

I have heard this. My guess is it is because they eat most of the bass small fry. I would think you may have the same problem with red ear. Bluegill and Catfish are not a problem because the Bluegill cannot get them in their small mouths and the Catfish don't really feed on them primarily.

[hairball]

This site might be of interest to you -http://www.pondboss.com/

[publican57]

Never illegally harvest a fish, and you will be fine. Below is a site that will tell what species are bad combinations and such, and also info for stocking fingerlings for a very low price!
http://www.kdfwr.state.ky.us/sum02mg7.asp

Good article.

[fishhound]

thanks for all the info

[JoeB]

There is a publication on stocking ponds and the right combination of fish. Although you mainly fish for bass and catfish; you will probably want bluegill and carp to help management.

I will look for the publication when I get home tonight and let you know more. You might call fish and wildlife and let them know what they are doing and they may know right off hand and be able to mail or email the publication to you. It is very thorough.

Why would you possibly want to stock carp?????

[sglass]

Remember to harvest some of the bass every year or they will be stunted in growth. My cousin has a pretty nice pond that only has bass in it. I can catch 50 in a couple hours but all of them are between 9 and 12 inches and skinny with big ol heads. I am in the process of thinning it out and looking at stocking it with bluegill and a couple carp for the grass.

Shawn