DO NOT pour fish into pond. Slowly withdraw container leaving all water and fish in pond. A Fish Stocking Permit must be obtained from the Regional Fishery Manager of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Fish and Wildlife, before the fish are stocked. Your local Soil Conservation Service representative can help you with the details of securing this permit. The fall months of October or November are the most suitable time to stock fish.
Early spring is the next best time.
Summer stocking is difficult and often unsuccessful because on hot sultry days the oxygen level in the pond water may be low, and surface water temperatures are often too high. If these steps are carefully followed, you will have done everything possible to help insure the survival of your trout. Trout fishing in privately owned ponds is becoming more and more popular today. A trout pond not only provides good fishing, but can also offer many hours of family outdoor recreation-swimming, boating, ice skating, etc. At this temperature, they are also less susceptible to parasites and disease.