Stocking Tools
Attempting to balance the fish composition in your new pond or lake can be a daunting task if you don't know where to start. With our brand new Stocking Rate Calculator, Arkansas Pondstockers has made it easier than ever!
Are you trying to balance a pond or lake that already contains fish? You can use these rates to get a general idea of what your pond needs, but it's recommended that you give us a call at 1-870-578-9773 and let one of our representatives help you decide what's right for your pond.
Enter the acreage or square footage of your pond or use our pond size calculator to estimate the surface area of your pond.
Select one of our pre-calculated pond stocking recommendations that is customized for your pond's surface area.
Call us at 1-870-578-9773 and one of our representatives will place your order for the next Fish Day in your area. If you have any questions or need a custom plan we would be happy to help!
Disclaimer: The numbers generated below are tailored to ponds or lakes that meet the following requirements:
If your pond or lake doesn't meet these requirements, please give us a call instead of using the Stocking Rate Calculator and we will give you advice or guide you to resources that will help you obtain a healthy pond. We can't guarantee fish that are released into ponds and lakes that don't meet these requirements.
Enter either the acreage or square footage of your pond or lake below, or use our Pond Size Calculator to estimate the surface area of your pond.
Examples:
a half acre = 0.5 ac
1 and 3/4 acres = 1.75 ac
All measurements must be in feet
Select an option from above to continue.
Note: these estimates will not be valid for egg-shaped ponds (ellipses). Please click "Odd-Shaped" above for details.
i.e. the total distance traveled when walking around your entire pond once
i.e. the longest distance possible from one end of your pond to the other in a straight line
Calculating the surface area of a pond or lake that doesn't fit one of the above shapes can be a little more difficult, but definitely not impossible. Here is a list of resources that you may find useful:
PennState: Pond MeasurementsHere's a neat tool from Daft Logic. Search for an address close to your pond and draw points to find the approximate acreage. All credit goes to Daft Logic for the above link. Arkansas Pondstockers is not affiliated with Daft Logic
The Bass / Bluegill / Redear option is the most popular option for most pond owners. It is the easiest to maintain and strikes a proper balance between predator and prey.
| 1 acre | With Feed | No Feed |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 100 | 100 |
| Regular Bluegill | 800 | 400 |
| Redear Sunfish | 200 | 100 |
| Fathead Minnows | 10 lbs. | 10 lbs. |
| Grass Carp | 12 | 12 |
| Channel Catfish* | 300 | 150 |
| Black Crappie* | 100 | 50 |
*Optional for this recommendation. Call for details.
Fathead Minnows must be restocked at least once per year.
The Hybrid Bluegill option is best suited for smaller ponds (two acres or less). Desirable traits of hybrid bluegill include faster growth rate and larger maximum size than regular bluegill.
| 1 acre | With Feed | No Feed |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid Bluegill | 1000-1500 | 750 |
| Channel Catfish or Bass |
600 or 100 |
400 or 100 |
| Fathead Minnows | 10 lbs. | 10 lbs. |
| Grass Carp | 12 | 12 |
| Redear Sunfish* | 200 | 100 |
| Black Crappie* | 100 | 50 |
*Optional for this recommendation. Call for details.
Fathead Minnows must be restocked at least once per year.
Channel Catfish are our most popular game fish, especially in the Southern U.S. Desirable traits include fast growth, ease of feed training, and ease of management.
| 1 acre | With Feed | No Feed |
|---|---|---|
| Channel Catfish | 1000-2000 | 500 |
| Fathead Minnows | 10 lbs. | 10 lbs. |
| Grass Carp | 12 | 12 |
| Redear Sunfish* | 200 | 100 |
| Hybrid Bluegill | 500 | 250 |
| Black Crappie* | 100 | 50 |
*Optional for this recommendation. Call for details.
Fathead Minnows must be restocked at least once per year.
The Black Crappie option is the most difficult to maintain of the four options listed. Crappie have a tendency to overpopulate ponds because of their prolific breeding habits as well as their tendency to spawn earlier than other species.
| 2 acres | With Feed | No Feed |
|---|---|---|
| Black Crappie | 200 | 100 |
| Regular Bluegill | 400 | 200 |
| Redear Sunfish* | 100 | 50 |
| Fathead Minnows | 10 lbs. | 10 lbs. |
| Bass | 200 | 150 |
| Grass Carp | 12 | 12 |
| Channel Catfish | 300 | 150 |
*Optional for this recommendation. Call for details.
Fathead Minnows must be restocked at least once per year.
Notice: Grass carp are not available in Louisiana, Michigan, and Texas
Take the numbers generated above and place your order with one of our representatives. It's that easy! If you have any questions we are more than willing to help.
1-870-578-9773
Monday-Friday: 8 AM - 5PM CST
It's very important to know how to release your fish once we deliver them to you. Improper release of your fish will likely result in a total loss, either because the fish weren't tempered correctly or the transport container is depleted of oxygen. We cannot guarantee fish that are improperly released.
Arkansas Pondstockers provides a free Fish Release Guide that will instruct you on the proper procedures for releasing your fish. You can read or print the guide here on this website or obtain a printed copy from your delivery driver.