Options for New and Renovated Ponds
So, you want to stock some fish in your new or renovated pond? Hopefully, you have already read the fish stocking portions of the Missouri Pond Handbook or have received stocking recommendations from a professional resource manager from the Missouri Department of Conservation or the private sector. In either case, you should have a pretty good idea of the species you wish to stock, numbers and sizes of fish needed, and best time to stock the fish. Now, you have to decide where to get your fish.
Missouri Department of Conservation Private Pond Stocking Program
Fingerling largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish for the initial stocking of a new or renovated pond can be obtained from the Missouri Department of Conservation through its private pond stocking program. To be eligible for participation in the program, a pond must meet the following requirements:
- Water must be at least eight feet deep.
- Water and shoreline must be protected from livestock use (ponds over five acres need not be fenced).
- The dam must be constructed for permanency and water tightness, and the drainage area should be adequate but not excessive for water storage.
- No undesirable fish may be present prior to stocking.
- Water quality must be sufficient to ensure the survival of the stocked fish and sustain good fishing.
- Stocking will not endanger species of conservation concern.
Landowners interested in participating in the program, complete a pond stocking application and submit it by July 15th. The pond is inspected, and if it meets the criteria, the landowner is informed of the number of fish that will be provided and the arrangements for fish distribution. Young-of-the year bluegill and channel catfish are distributed in September, and young-of-the-year largemouth bass are distributed the following June. Landowners participating in this program are not obligated to allow fishing or other uses of their land by the general public but the pond and its fish are subject to the regulations of the Wildlife Code of Missouri.
Commercial Fish Producers
You may choose to purchase the largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish for the initial stocking of your new or renovated pond from a commercial fish producer. Purchasing fish from a commercial fish producer may provide greater management flexibility as well as the possibility of developing harvestable fish populations more rapidly.
Even if you plan on stocking fish provided by the Department of Conservation, at some point, you will need to obtain at least some fish from commercial fish producers. The fathead minnows that should be stocked several months prior to the initial stocking of largemouth bass, the channel catfish needed to maintain good catfishing after the initial catfish are harvested, and any additional species of fish that you would like to have in your pond (e.g., redear sunfish, black crappie or others) will all have to be purchased from commercial fish producers. A variety of species and sizes are available from fish producers during much of the year. Additional information is available in the Missouri Aquaculture Directory, which can be obtained by contacting the Missouri Department of AgricultureÕs Market Development Division at (800) 419-9139 or from your nearby University Outreach and Extension Center.
A Comparison of Sources of Fish for Initial Pond Stocking
| Fish Provided by MDC | Fish Purchased from a Commercial Fish Producer |
|---|---|
| Your pond must meet the minimum standards for participation. | No minimum standards. |
| Standard combination of largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish is stocked at the standard stocking rates. See the DepartmentÕs suggested stocking rates table (below). | A larger selection of fish is available, accommodating a variety of pond management goals and objectives. Only species on the Missouri Approved Aquatic Species List may be stocked. |
| Only young-of-the-year fish are stocked and only at the prescribed times of the year regardless of when your pond is ready for stocking (i.e., 1-2Ó bluegill and 2-4Ó channel catfish in September; 1-2Ó largemouth bass the following June). These fish will grow to quality size in two to three years. | Fish are available in a range of sizes and during much of the year. If
you stock larger fish, you do not have to stock as many and they will attain
catchable size much sooner if sufficient food is available. You may wish
to get advice on stocking rates and best times to stock from a Department
of Conservation biologist. |
| If your pond is less than 10 acres in size, you must make two trips to a designated location at a specified time to pick up the fish, and you have to deliver the fish to the pond yourself. The Department delivers fish directly to ponds that are 10 acres or larger. Fish | Fish are often available to meet your schedule. Small quantities of fish may be purchased at "fish days" at local feed stores. Fish can also be purchased directly from fish producers. You may also be able to arrange for the fish dealer to deliver fish directly to your pond. |
| For the initial stocking, fish are provided at no cost to the landowner. | The cost of fish will depend on the species, size and number desired, and whether they are delivered, shipped or picked up. The cost of stocking is small compared to pond construction costs. |
By stocking your pond with fish supplied by MDC, your pond becomes "waters of the state" for purposes of fishing and handling your fish. This means that you and the members of your immediate household may fish the pond without a Missouri fishing permit, but everyone else, unless they are exempt, will need to have a valid Missouri fishing permit. Those who fish your pond must use legal methods as specified in Chapter
6 of the Wildlife Code and must abide by the statewide seasons, daily
limits and length limits. This applies to the species stocked by the
Department and any fish that you may later purchase and stock in your
pond. Your pond will be considered waters of the state until it is drained
or the entire fish population is removed. |
As long as you have receipts for the fish you stocked, anyone can fish your pond without a Missouri fishing permit. You will have to provide successful anglers with receipts for the fish that are taken from your property. You can take fish from your pond by any method you wish, whenever you wish, and keep as many fish of whatever size you want. If desired, you may sell your fish without special permits. |
DO NOT stock your pond with fish taken from creeks or other lakes and ponds.
The chances of getting undesirable species are high, and the probability of producing high quality fishing is low because it is difficult to obtain the balance of fish species and sizes that will produce and sustain good fishing.
COUNTY STOCKING RATES
Code
(1-2Ó bluegill and 2-4Ó channel catfish stocked in Sept.; 1-2Ó bass stocked
the following June)
- 100% Rate; 100 bass, 500 bluegill, 100 catfish per surface acre of water
- 50% with 75% option; 75 bass, 375 bluegill, 74 catfish per surface acre of water
- 50% Rate; 50 bass, 250 bluegill, 50 catfish per surface acre of water
| County | Code | County | Code | County | Code | County | Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adair | 1 | Dallas | 2 | Livingston | 1 | Randolph | 1 |
| Andrew | 1 | Davies | 1 | McDonald | 2 | Ray | 1 |
| Atchison | 1 | DeKalb | 1 | Macon | 1 | Reynolds | 3 |
| Audrain | 1 | Dent | 3 | Madison | 3 | Ripley | 3 |
| Barry | 2 | Douglas | 3 | Maries | 3 | St. Charles | 1 |
| Barton | 1 | Dunklin | 1 | Marion | 1 | St. Clair | 2 |
| Bates | 1 | Franklin | 1 | Mercer | 1 | St. Francois | 3 |
| Benton | 2 | Gasconade | 2 | Miller | 3 | St. Genevieve | 3 |
| Bollinger | 3 | Gentry | 1 | Mississippi | 1 | St. Louis | 1 |
| Boone | 1 | Greene | 2 | Moniteau | 2 | Saline | 1 |
| Buchanan | 1 | Grundy | 1 | Monroe | 1 | Schuyler | 1 |
| Butler | 2 | Harrison | 1 | Montgomery | 1 | Scotland | 1 |
| Caldwell | 1 | Henry | 2 | Morgan | 3 | Scott | 1 |
| Callaway | 1 | Hickory | 2 | New Madrid | 1 | Shannon | 3 |
| Camden | 3 | Holt | 1 | Newton | 2 | Shelby | 1 |
| Cape Girardeau | 2 | Howard | 1 | Nodaway | 1 | Stoddard | 1 |
| Carrol | 1 | Howell | 3 | Oregon | 3 | Stone | 3 |
| Carter | 3 | Iron | 3 | Osage | 2 | Sullivan | 1 |
| Cass | 1 | Jackson | 1 | Ozark | 3 | Taney | 3 |
| Cedar | 2 | Jasper | 1 | Pemiscot | 1 | Texas | 3 |
| Chariton | 1 | Jefferson | 2 | Perry | 2 | Vernon | 1 |
| Christian | 2 | Johnson | 1 | Pettis | 1 | Warren | 1 |
| Clark | 1 | Knox | 1 | Phelps | 3 | Washington | 3 |
| Clay | 1 | Laclede | 3 | Pike | 1 | Wayne | 3 |
| Clinton | 1 | Lawrence | 2 | Platte | 1 | Webster | 2 |
| Cole | 2 | Lewis | 1 | Polk | 2 | Worth | 1 |
| Cooper | 2 | Lincoln | 1 | Pulaski | 3 | Wright | 3 |
| Crawford | 3 | LaFayette | 1 | Putnam | 1 | ||
| Dade | 2 | Linn | 1 | Ralls | 1 |
Click here to download the stocking application (900 KB)
