new lake

[swiatrek]

Well I guess this question is to all you biologists out there. We recently dug a new lake (pond) on some property we have in south Texas and I am wondering when we can start stocking it with fish. Full it will cover approximately 6 acres and be around 20 ft deep. Now it covers about an acre and probably only 6 ft deep. Is it too early to start stocking with baitfish? Also is there any beneficial flora we can add to help with water quality/clarity and keep other pesky weeds out.

[Third Coast Tropical]

You'll probably want to contact Texas Parks and Wildlife on that one. They may/may not have restrictions on what types of fish and plants can be stocked.

[wesheltonj]

First, what type of soil to you have. Will you need to line the tank to keep it from leaking?
http://www.pondsealer.net/application.html

You will need to wait until you get some algae growing in it.

Go to your Farm & Ranch store, they can put you in touch with fish stocking companies.

[kkiel02]

Wait for algae to grow. Then add some baitfish. Then perch. Then bass and catfish. Just like saltwater tAnks though take your time. We have also let the perch spawn a couple times before the bass and catfish so you will have a good food source for them.

[captexas]

I'm not an expert, but I'd let it go awhile before putting anything in it. We've had some decent rain lately, but it was just a few months ago that many peoples stock tanks/ponds went bone dry. And there are plenty of people who have dug holes in the ground thinking it would be a good tank only to find out the soil won't hold water. A friend of mine has a few tanks dug on his 100 acres. At one time they all held water, but over time they have dried up due to the soil and drought. It would stink to stock it with fish only to have it dry up and the fish die.

[CoryDude]

Bruce at aquatek would be a good resource for this. His master's thesis covered freshwater habitats near canyon lake. He'd be a good source of knowledge on local fish and plants that would work in south texas.

[snfkotara]

If you want duck weed for your pond I can get you some from our tank and if you want perch I can throw out the perch that and get you some of those also. The birds will also help you stock your tank before we ever add anything we found some minnow in there already. Now we have huge catfish and bass. We bought channel cats from Dunn's fish farms. They deliver every few month and they will be coming soon. Their # is 800-433-2950 or www.dunnsfishfarm.com