Of these, the bluegill is recommended because it has a lesser tendency to stunt and thus attains a larger size than does the pumpkinseed. Both are favorites with panfishermen as they are abundant and are readily caught with a variety of baits and small lures, providing angling pleasure for both young and old alike. The best way to get the bass population off to a good start in a new pond is to stock it with fathead minnows before you introduce the largemouth bass. These little minnows make ideal forage for young and yearling bass. The fathead population will eventually disappear because of predation by the bass, however by that time the young bass should be large enough to start feeding on the wide bodied sunfish.
Many people enjoy catching catfish or bullheads.
These species adapt well to pond life especially in waters that have a pH of 6.0 or greater. Channel catfish, a specie that can grow to 12 plus pounds in ponds, can be purchased as fingerlings from a number of commercial hatcheries. Their favorite sporting and eating qualities are quite high which make them a favorite with anglers. The brown bullhead, a native catfish, generally runs around one pound in weight and does well in small ponds, however they are not readily available from commercial hatcheries. Stocking catchable size trout in small ponds appeals to many people.