Fish Stocking & Management: What You Need to Know

From the team at Inspired by Nature, Inc.

One of the most common questions we get is:
“What kind of fish should I stock in my pond?”
Our answer is often a question in return:
“What are your goals for the pond?”

The best stocking strategy depends entirely on what you want from your waterbody—be it recreation, aesthetics, weed control, or food production. Below are some key insights and common misconceptions to help guide your fish management decisions.

Grass Carp: Not a Cure-All for Algae

One of the most frequent questions we hear is:
“How many more grass carp should I add to control the stringy algae on my pond’s surface?”

The short answer? As many as you want—it still won’t help.
Grass carp are selective herbivores, preferring rooted aquatic plants over filamentous (mat-forming) algae. In fact, they’ll snack on your lawn before turning to algae. However, they are very effective at managing submerged vegetation ifstocked at appropriate densities and when rooted plants are actually present.

Key Tip:
Don’t stock grass carp "just in case." Wait until vegetation covers more than 20% of your pond. No plants = no food = wasted money. Unsure about what’s growing? Send us a sample—we’re happy to help.

Hybrid Bluegill: Big Fish with a Catch

Everyone loves the idea of hybrid bluegill—they grow quickly, taste great, and can reach impressive sizes. However, one common myth needs to be cleared up:
They are not sterile.
Hybrid bluegill (a cross between bluegill and green sunfish) will reproduce in your pond. Their offspring often revert genetically, increasing the risk of undesirable traits—especially if you’ve also stocked pure bluegill.

The Problem:
Hybrid offspring frequently turn into green sunfish, known for:

• Aggressive behavior

• Stunted growth

• Competition with largemouth bass

If you want to stock hybrid bluegill, it’s important to manage their reproduction carefully and avoid mixing them with fertile bluegill populations unless you have a strategy in place.

Channel Catfish: Great If You Like to Eat Them

Catfish are tough, fast-growing, and easy to train to pellets. If you like catfish fillets, they’re a great addition. But if you're indifferent, it may not be worth stocking them.

Misconception Alert:
Catfish don’t “clean the pond bottom.” They eat dead fish, insects, crustaceans—and sometimes even young birds. They also compete with bass by feeding on bluegill at night.

Catfish rarely reproduce in small ponds, so if you harvest them, be prepared to restock each season.

Goldfish, Carp, and Koi: A Murky Situation

We regularly see ponds overrun with goldfish, koi, or common carp—often starting with just a few fish. Though koi are a domesticated variety of common carp, they share the same traits:

• High reproduction rates

• Bottom feeding behavior

• Tendency to stir up sediments and ruin water clarity

Example:
A 1/3-acre pond originally stocked with just six 4-inch goldfish ended up with 175 pounds of goldfish just four years later. The water was muddy with only 5 inches of visibility.

Lesson: Even a few ornamental fish can lead to serious problems—especially in predator-free systems.

How Do Unwanted Fish Get In?

If you’ve got surprise goldfish or green sunfish, it didn’t happen by magic. Here’s how they typically arrive:

• Kids releasing pets

• Contaminated bait buckets

• Fish deliveries with unintended species

• Most commonly: water pumped from ditches or creeks

That last one is easy to prevent. We recommend using a filter sock when filling or topping off your pond. (We carry them!)

Final Thoughts: No One-Size-Fits-All Solution

There’s no universal formula for pond stocking—it all depends on your goals. That said, following science-based fish management practices can save you time, money, and frustration.

Now operating out of our spacious new location, Inspired by Nature is proud to offer a full line of fish for stocking. Whether you're after a balanced sport fishery, clean water, or a backyard fishing haven, we’re here to help.

Questions about stocking rates or species combinations?
Give us a call and speak with a biologist. We’ll help you build a pond you can be proud of.