I want to restock my pond with fish?

Question

Several years ago our pond dried up and we lost all of our fish. Now I want to restock the pond. Is there a "best" time of year to do this? I live in NC so I want bass/brim/catfish, etc. Should I also get some kind of algae eater? Thanks for your help

Thanks Doc - more details: it is about 2 1/2 acres and it is not spring fed. It is fed by runoff and the reason for drying up before was drought about 9 years ago. Even though we are in a drought now I have a backup with a well if I absolutely have to use it. Won't go dry again unless my well also runs dry. If that happens the least of my problems will be fish!!

Also - about 12 feet deep at lowest point.

One more thing Doc: you are right about leaks. Had one but with the low water level I found it and fixed it (I hope). Thanks to Yahoo answers for help with that one.

Answer 1

Hey Steve. Forgive my questioning your question; but what might be the definition of the POND? Natural? Man made? large? Has the cause of the "Dry Up" been resolved?

Large/Natural... the pond must not have been spring fed; if that's the case the problem is less about fish.

More importantly however is the size and depth of the pond, and items in in that create a natural type environment. Maybe especially if it's man made..That might cause other issue such as leaks?

First I'd investigate spawning and hatching times for those "Breeds" while realizing that in the "Wild" they survive NC winters by going deep; or have water that flows/ is agitated/ offers shelter; to keep any frost depth above what they can sustain a life in.

It may not even be that Algae will grow in any winter water? ALTHOUGH it may help add oxygen??? Darn I knew I shoud have gone into marine Biology :)

Beyond that; all fish are scavengers; and often eat algae if not much else exists. They are also cannibalistic.

Have you considered filtration? OR at the least pumping; if for no other reason than to stir up bottom settling; sediments in any manner of feeding; and just to agitate the water to keep any frost level from dropping so low that the fish suffocate?

During months when water temps are warmer; and/or water might stagnate; a bottom feeder; algae eater won't hurt.

I'm just curious as to all my wondering. The size and quantity of both the pond and fish matters too. Hatchlings? Mature catches released?

Lemme no if you will.

Steven Wolf

Answer 2

if the pond is big then no u dont need algae eaters, if its small then u should

put the fish in just as it starts to get warm, around early may

Answer 3

spring time is best and contact your state game n fish hatcherys every state has them they sell all kinds..croppy will not work to small of area and they will eat your other fish normally they are from 3-5 inches when u buy them from the game n fish dept..