Fish Stocking Recommendations
Developing an excellent fishing pond does not happen by accident. It takes proper pond design, excellent water quality, and the stocking of quality fingerlings in the correct ratios. Stocking your pond properly can prevent common problems such as a stunted bluegill population. ATAC recommends stocking 2-4 inch fingerlings in new ponds. Large, wild caught fish should be avoided because they may introduce disease. Large fish will prey on newly stocked fingerlings. Obtaining a balanced predator (bass) to prey (sunfish) ratio is the key to a healthy fishery. We recommend 100 bass to 500 sunfish per acre for a self sustaining fishery.
| Typical Initial Stocking | Size | 1/4 Acre | 1/2 Acre | 3/4 Acre | 1 Acre |
| Species | |||||
| Largemouth Bass | 4-6'' | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 |
| Bluegill Sunfish | 2-4'' | 35 | 75 | 115 | 150 |
| Hybrid Bluegill | 2-4'' | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 |
| Redear Sunfish | 2-4'' | 35 | 75 | 115 | 150 |
| Fathead Minnows (lbs.) | 1-3'' | 10 | 21 | 30 | 40 |
| *Channel Catfish | 4-6'' | 15 | 25 | 40 | 50 |
| *Black Crappie | 4-6'' | 20 | 40 | 60 | 80 |
| TOTALS | $291.30 | $567.70 | $843.35 | $1117.50 |
*Denotes optional species
| Accelerated Stocking | Size | 1/4 Acre | 1/2 Acre | 3/4 Acre | 1 Acre |
| Species | |||||
| Largemouth Bass | 5-7'' | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 |
| Bluegill Sunfish | 4-6' | 35 | 75 | 115 | 150 |
| Hybrid Bluegill | 4-6'' | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 |
| Redear Sunfish | 4-6'' | 35 | 75 | 115 | 150 |
| Fathead Minnows (lbs.) | 1-3'' | 15 | 25 | 30 | 51 |
| *Channel Catfish | 8-11'' | 15 | 25 | 40 | 50 |
| *Black Crappie | 4-6'' | 20 | 40 | 60 | 80 |
| TOTALS | $498.25 | $894.45 | $1341.25 | $1771.00 |
*Denotes optional species
| Swimming Pond | Size | 1/4 Acre | 1/2 Acre | 3/4 Acre | 1 Acre |
| Species | |||||
| Largemouth Bass | 4-6'' | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 |
| Redear Sunfish | 2-4'' | 150 | 250 | 400 | 500 |
| Fathead Minnows (lbs.) | 1-3'' | 10 | 21 | 30 | 40 |
| *Channel Catfish | 4-6'' | 15 | 25 | 40 | 50 |
| *Black Crappie | 4-6'' | 20 | 40 | 60 | 80 |
| TOTALS | $335.00 | $613.20 | $929.25 | $1208.50 |
*Denotes optional species
All recommended species are ordered as a pre-order item for delivery by ATAC. Please indicate when ordering if you prefer your delivery in the spring or fall. Your order will then be placed in our system and we will call you with a specific date and time.