Interested in stocking our pond with trout

[acnewman55]

My parents are interested in stocking a pond on their property with trout as a food source.

Anyone have any experience with this?

I know we need to have a WDFW biologist check out the pond, etc in order to get a permit to purchase the brood-stock.  I haven't gotten to that stage yet.

I'm more just curious about whether or not the fish taste good, and if they're worth the effort for maintaining the water environment and feeding (if necessary).  I don't know how much work it would be to maintain our pond - but I'm interested in hearing how this has worked out for others.

I do know that the previous owners of the property stocked the pond at one point, but that river otters killed off the trout over time.  I'd have to figure out a way to control those critters (if possible).

Thanks!

[huntnphool]

 I know Trophy Lake CC loses a lot of fish every year to birds too.

[Woodchuck]

Does the pond have good circulation? I know a guy here that put triploids in his pond and his pump died, the fish were very close behind.

[Jonathan_S]

Oxygen is going to be a must.  Particularly when it's warmer.  Tough to keep oxygen in warm water and the trout don't like it warm anyway

[4fletch]

Pellet fed trout depending on the pellets you feed do not make the trout good tasting. I would rather plant bass crappie catfish etc. they can live in warmer waters, they are carnivorous which would lessen the amount of feed to buy and much easier to raise. Bass can be skinned before cooking and make them excellent for the table. Still need  oxygen. If you have a problem with that then you need to pump water over a set of screens to add oxygen into the pond water.

[dmv9]

What about tilapia?

[acnewman55]

This pond is located in the Central Cascades at 2000 feet - it is spring-fed with cold water, and most years will almost entirely freeze over the top.

A warm-water fish would not do well.

I'm pretty sure we'll have to stick to a trout species.

[Giggles]

What about tilapia?

Feed would be really inexpensive for these fish; they eat their own poop.  That being said, I can't figure out why thy taste so good. 

[big wood]

call doug @ trout lodge.

[j_h_nimrod]

I have more than a little experience with this.  How big is the pond?  Depth?  Water flow?  Is there much natural forage in the pond?  Most of he springs I know in the area run ~45-55 degrees which is optimal for trout so you should be good there. If it has been successfully stocked in the past then you should be good for another attempt. There are some quality and fairly inexpensive pellet diets that make for a pretty good eating fish. All-in-all though trying to make a pond with good eating fish is going to cost, you can figure on about a dollar a pound or a little more. Taking care of them is fairly easy and all dependent on how many you stock and the pond conditions.

Trout Lodge is a good source for triploids and I would recommend going that route. Trying to create a self sustaining pond can be problematic and flesh quality and growth is often poor. If otters wiped it out in the past then it is likely they will try again. Removing the otters or fencing the area are about the only ways to deter them.

[KFhunter]

I bet a call to the closest hatchery could get you a bunch of info.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/hatcheries/facilities.php

[big wood]

as soon as the state started charging for permits and all their crap to get more money out of us, I quite stocking my ponds.

[coachcw]

the ponds i have seen that do the best are 10-15 feet deep with almost strait down sides , that helps save fish from birds and helps keep slit out of the gills. i would plan on moving the water at 10 000 gph or better having it fall for aeration. I threw some tout in my pond and they did great . 

[coachcw]

Koi can produce cash flow.

[coachcw]

Do you have a picture of the pond ?

[4fletch]

Wonder what koi tastes like. What pound test , what color , not too deep . Top water  plug?

[KFhunter]

Wonder what koi tastes like. What pound test , what color , not too deep . Top water  plug?

tried to eat a carp once won't make that mistake again,  I suspect they'd be very similar.

[4fletch]

Probaby tastes similar to really bad then

[Magnum_Willys]

Planted Trout can taste great !  Yes the birds will wipe them out in two years or less. Its a blast to go down and throw fish food out and watch the water boil.   Yes usually get lazy and let them forage for themselves after a few weeks.  They do fine until caught by people or birds.  You might as well eat all you want cuz birds or otters or racoons will get them anyway.

Used to get em from rainbow ranch in chehalis.  not sure they still ship.

Usually Ordered about 100# of 9-12 inchers ( 3-4 per pound) and 100# of 2-6 pounders.  Nice mix with some monsters.

Nothing like your kid pulling a 7 pounder outa your own lake !

[Utah]

Set traps for furry fish killers.   Screw the state.  Your pond, defend it as you please.   

[Jonathan_S]

Set traps for furry fish killers.   Screw the state.  Your pond, defend it as you please.   

Great legal advice...what I'd expect from a Raiders fan 

Why not just do it legally?  Mink can be trapped Nov-Mar Statewide and Otters in plenty of places too.  Your advice could land somebody in a lot of hot water 

[acnewman55]

Legal Status

The river otter is classified as a furbearer (WAC 232-12-007). A trapping license and open season are required to trap river otters. A property owner or the owner’s immediate family, employee, or tenant may kill or trap a river otter on that property if it is damaging crops or domestic animals (RCW 77.36.030). No permit is necessary; however, you must notify the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife immediately after taking a river otter in these situations. Because legal status, trapping restrictions, and other information about river otters change, contact your local state wildlife office for updates.

[Utah]

Set traps for furry fish killers.   Screw the state.  Your pond, defend it as you please.   

Great legal advice...what I'd expect from a Raiders fan 

Why not just do it legally?  Mink can be trapped Nov-Mar Statewide and Otters in plenty of places too.  Your advice could land somebody in a lot of hot water 

From  a Raiders fan?  That's Racist...  Most likely your a hawk fan.  Your Hawk flag offends me It should be banned...

Who's gonna know besides the dead critter and the OP?  You gonna get a permit to shoot a intruder you trapped in your kitchen?  Or you just gonna kill him!     Different strokes for different folks. Protecting your property, protecting your investment.

AFC West Champs 2015
Oakland Raiders

Book it!

[Jonathan_S]

I'll be a Seahawks fan when they play the Raiders, sound good? 

It doesn't matter to me who knows, it matters to me what is done in the first place.  I know you didn't just compare an home invasion to an otter in a trout pond

[Utah]

Build a pond, stock it, feed it, maintain it.  Then get back to me...   

[Jonathan_S]

I raise hundreds of chickens, quail, pheasants, chukar, and turkeys every year and I wager that costs a heck of a lot more than fish.  I live in BFE and there are plenty of predators.  I deal with bears, coyotes, raccoons, dogs, mink, weasels, hawks, owls, eagles and even snakes.  I remove them legally when possible but I don't kill things I can't legally remove.

I'm not trying to paint some superiority complex, I probably have more things wrong with me than you do