A standing crop of 320 pounds might consist of 320 one-pound fish, or any combination totaling 320 pounds. The important fact is that each pond has a limit to the pounds of fish that it can sustain. The pond owner who understands the concept of carrying capacity will be better able to manage and use the fish crop that the pond produces. After you have a properly constructed pond and a basic understanding of its features, it is time to stock your pond. You must consider what kinds of fish you want, how many and what size of fish you need to stock, when and how to stock, and potential stocking problems.
Proper stocking can make a world of difference in fishing quality in years to come.