Depends on the size of the pond really, most wildlife departments have programs to help private land owners manage their ponds. Depth and structure are extremely important for Bass, especially if you want a viable breeding population. Bass will eat nearly anything so balance is important, baitfish native to your area are best. Crappie can adapt but will not successfully spawn if water levels are not consistent. Sunfish are always good in a farm pond and catfish are a must really. Good management is your best tool. My pond is stream fed so stocking is not possible but I know of some OK department of wildlife assisted ponds where catching a 7lb largemouth is pretty easy. I have seen some mismanaged ponds where the Bass were stunted and overpopulated, catfish with parasites etc. so do your homework and talk to some successful pond owners for some tips. A good solar powered fountain to keep the oxygen levels up is crucial to the fish surviving if the pond is not natural and not stream or spring fed, and buy a good one because fish are expensive to stock and to lose em due to lack of a good aerator would suck. If it's a man made pond you will want to line it with bentonite clay so as not to lose the water, it's the best product IMO. There is a site the University of Illinois has called 60 ways farmers can protect surface water, it's a good guide but again your local Wildlife Department is likely your best resource. Good luck and good fishing!:thumbsup:
Here's the air pump I finally settled on for my pond. It's much cheaper to run then the fountain type, and is good for up to 3 ACRES of pond:
Hiblow HP-200 septic air pump pond aerator compressor aquaculture koi aerobic
It used to run 24/7, but I now have a timer on it that runs 2 hours on/ 2 hours off around the clock. I have it pumping through a large airstone, that's in a 5 gallon plastic pail with cement in the bottom. If I ever have to pull that out, I have some plastic rope tied to it, and a duck decoy floating around on top of the water. I just could grab the duck, and haul the whole thing up.
My pond is 65 ft wide, by 100 ft long. It has a deep spot that's around 10 - 15 ft, and the rest is around 5 ft deep. It's full of Koi and Bass, and they do well. We feed them fish food, and sometimes dry dog food. In the summer, I sometimes sit on my deck with a paintball gun, and shoot the Blue Heron's and Kingfishers that try to get all my fish. I only have to get them a few times, and they don't come back that year.
Hiblow HP-200 septic air pump pond aerator compressor aquaculture koi aerobic
It used to run 24/7, but I now have a timer on it that runs 2 hours on/ 2 hours off around the clock. I have it pumping through a large airstone, that's in a 5 gallon plastic pail with cement in the bottom. If I ever have to pull that out, I have some plastic rope tied to it, and a duck decoy floating around on top of the water. I just could grab the duck, and haul the whole thing up.
My pond is 65 ft wide, by 100 ft long. It has a deep spot that's around 10 - 15 ft, and the rest is around 5 ft deep. It's full of Koi and Bass, and they do well. We feed them fish food, and sometimes dry dog food. In the summer, I sometimes sit on my deck with a paintball gun, and shoot the Blue Heron's and Kingfishers that try to get all my fish. I only have to get them a few times, and they don't come back that year.
Get in contact with the Iowa DNR, I am not sure what the have in their "budget" but I know they used to have programs to help stock ponds.
I know a guy that has a small pond, about the same size as you want, and had 4 MALE grass carp in it to cut down on the weeds etc. he also has an aerator in it, pretty necessary in shallow ponds.
You're going to let me come fish it right??
I know a guy that has a small pond, about the same size as you want, and had 4 MALE grass carp in it to cut down on the weeds etc. he also has an aerator in it, pretty necessary in shallow ponds.
You're going to let me come fish it right??
The local County Soil & Water Conservation District in my area has a fish sale twice a year. Here is the list of what I stocked for the two city ponds that I manage. One pond has an aerator, one does not. The ponds are connected by a small channel to allow fish to go between ponds. Both my ponds are just slightly larger than 1/2 acre each with a max depth of 9' in one and 7' in the other.
Spring Order $551.25
Channel Cat, 8"-10", quantity 25, split between two ponds
Largemouth Bass, 5"-8", quantity 50, split between two ponds
Fathead minnow, 6 lbs, split between two ponds
Bluegill, 1"-2", quantity 250 per bag (2 bags), split between two ponds
Bluegill, 3"-5", quantity 100, split between two ponds
Crappie, 2"-3", quantity 1 bag of 100, split between two ponds
Fall Order $706.25
Largemouth Bass, 2"-3", quantity 100, split between two ponds
Largemouth Bass, 5"-8", quantity 25, split between two ponds
Fathead minnow, 5lbs, split between two ponds
Bluegill, 1"-2", quantity 250 per bag (4 bags), split between two ponds
Bluegill, 3"-5", quantity 150, split between two ponds
Hope this helps.
Spring Order $551.25
Channel Cat, 8"-10", quantity 25, split between two ponds
Largemouth Bass, 5"-8", quantity 50, split between two ponds
Fathead minnow, 6 lbs, split between two ponds
Bluegill, 1"-2", quantity 250 per bag (2 bags), split between two ponds
Bluegill, 3"-5", quantity 100, split between two ponds
Crappie, 2"-3", quantity 1 bag of 100, split between two ponds
Fall Order $706.25
Largemouth Bass, 2"-3", quantity 100, split between two ponds
Largemouth Bass, 5"-8", quantity 25, split between two ponds
Fathead minnow, 5lbs, split between two ponds
Bluegill, 1"-2", quantity 250 per bag (4 bags), split between two ponds
Bluegill, 3"-5", quantity 150, split between two ponds
Hope this helps.