Bringing gamefish into a private pond?

[Ely Lake Expert]

Alright, we have 2 ponds on our hunting land both about 150 to 175 feet in diameter and about 15 to 18 feet deep. How would I go about legally bringing crappies or other gamefish into the ponds? And would they survive in a pond that size?

[iffwalleyes]

I am not an expert by any means but first I would contact the DNR to see if you can even do it. But I would think with the size you mention it wouldn't work. That is pretty small in terms of water size perfect for duck not for fish. It probably would be susseptable to winter kill on something this small. Although the depth is decent. But first contact the DNR. Don't just start catching fish and transporting them to your pond that is a No No.

[Ely Lake Expert]

Thanks, I know it is very illegal to transfer from lake to lake, thats why I was hoping someone knows another way.

Oh ya, by the way the ducks and geese do love it, they flock into there.

[snapcrackpop]

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/permits/fishery/index.html

found this on the DNR HSOforum. It is a permit for using fish purchased from a fishery to stock private waters.

[snapcrackpop]

Oh, and are you sure it doesn't already have some fish?

It is deep enough. Any streams near by or artesian well flowing up in it(winterkill).

[Ely Lake Expert]

Thanks for the HSOforum and no there is no fish in there. A friend of the family has a huge excavator and was nice enough to come in the dig a couple of ponds for us which filled up right away. There is a smaller natural pond in the land and a small river flowing right though the middle. I have caught northerns in the river before.