Advanced Technical Aquatic Control - Quality Fish Stocking

Stocking Fish Developing an excellent fishing pond does not just happen by accident. It starts with the proper pond design, excellent water quality, and stocking quality fingerlings. Stocking your pond properly (see Table 1) will prevent long-term problems such as stunted and overpopulated bluegill. ATAC recommends stocking a 1-3 inch or a 3-5 inch fingerling into new ponds. Large, wild caught fish should be avoided due to the risk of introducing disease. Large fish will also feed on newly stocked fingerlings.

A balanced PREDATOR (bass) TO PREY (sunfish) RATIO is the key to a healthy fish population. This can be best obtained by following the example in Table 1.

Table 1: Stocking Examples for a 1 Acre Pond

Recommended Species:	Example 1	Example 2	Example 3	Example 4
Largemouth Bass	100 ea.	100 ea.	100 ea.	100 ea.
Bluegill Sunfish	300 ea.	150 ea.	0	250 ea.
Hybrid Bluegill	200 ea.	200 ea.	0	0
Redear Sunfish	0	150 ea.	500 ea.	250 ea.
Fathead Minnows	20-50lbs.	20-50 lbs.	20-50 lbs.	20-50 lbs.
Channel Catfish*	100 ea.	100 ea.	100 ea.	100 ea.
Black Crappie*	50-100 ea.	50-100 ea.	50-100 ea.	50-100 ea.

* Species are optional

ATAC TIP: For higher growth rates of newly stocked fish, stock the higher 50 lbs of fatheads when possible.

Table 2: Calculating The Surface Area of Your Pond

Select the shape that most resembles your pond and complete the mathematical calculation below the figure to determine the surface area. Divide answer by 43,560 to get surface area in acres.

Click here to calculate your area	Click here to calculate your area
Click here to calculate your area	Click here to calculate your area

Take quantities from Table 1 and multiply by the surface area in acres.
Example: 500 redear sunfish x .25 (1/4 acre surface area) = 125
100 largemouth bass x .25 = 25