How to Estimate When to Stock Freshwater Sport Fish

Many fishermen enjoy fishing on man-made, professionally stocked ponds and lakes. You can maintain a healthy and well-stocked fishing hole by learning about fish life cycles, breeding habits and natural fish predators. Learning about these factors can help you determine when it is an appropriate time to restock your fish pond.

• Stock your fishing hole at the right time of year. In order to maintain a healthy stock of fish, you should try to minimize the most common stress factors when introducing new fish to your environment. One of the largest stress factors that fish face is the temperature variance between the water they are shipped in and their new home. You will stock your prey fish first. Because of this, it is best to stock your fishing hole with prey fish during the fall, when the water temperature is likely to be below 65 degrees Fahrenheit. You will introduce your predator fish the following spring, when the water conditions are similar.

1. Choose the appropriate fish species for your region. You might want to consult with your local fishermen's association or do some research on the fish species that are native to your region. If you introduce exotic fish to your fishing hole, they are unlikely to survive.


2. Determine the amount of fish that you need. First, you will need to measure the size of your pond in acres. Next, consider your predator to prey ratio. Experts recommend maintaining a predator to prey ratio of 1 to 10. For every acre of size, you should have 50 predator fish and 500 prey fish. If your pond is larger than an acre, multiply these numbers accordingly.


3. Order your chosen prey fish from a fish supplier.


4. Release your prey fish into the pond in the fall. This allows time for your prey fish to become established in their new environment, reproduce and grow in size. 


5. Order your chosen predator fish the following spring, and release them into the water when they arrive.


6. Maintain your predator to prey ratio by fishing for both types of fish consistently.