When it comes to stocking your pond, timing matters. At Pond King, we stock fish during two key seasons each year: spring and fall. While exact dates depend on weather conditions, our spring stocking season typically runs from early March through the end of June, with fall stocking taking place from September through late October.
Fish are most vulnerable during extreme temperatures, which is why we stock according to the seasons. By working within these ideal temperature windows, we reduce stress on the fish and help ensure healthier stockings with better survival rates.
At Pond King, seasonal fish stocking isn’t a preference—it’s a best practice. Fish are highly sensitive to extreme temperatures, and when water gets too hot or too cold, stress levels rise fast. Add the stress of handling and transportation, and survival rates can drop significantly. That’s why stocking during the right seasonal windows is critical to successful pond and lake management in Texas. By stocking in spring and fall, we’re able to deliver healthier fish, reduce mortality, and give your pond the best possible start.
Spring Fish Days are some of the most exciting—and busiest—times of the year at Pond King. After a long winter, pond owners and fisheries managers are ready to get fish in the water, and our biologists are working full throttle to keep up with demand.
Spring also brings the widest selection of fish species, which means the first few weeks can move fast. Inventory changes daily, so we strongly recommend calling ahead before making the trip. All fish pickups are scheduled by appointment to ensure we have the right fish—and the right staff—ready to take care of you.
Early spring stocking typically starts with essential forage species, which form the foundation of a healthy pond ecosystem:
We also offer several popular game fish early in the season, including:
While we don’t routinely stock shad or crawfish, both are excellent forage options—especially for bass-heavy ponds. These species can be special ordered, but minimum order requirements do apply. If you’re interested, reach out to our team and we’ll walk you through your options and help determine what makes the most sense for your pond.
Spring is prime time for stocking fish that help manage aquatic vegetation while also improving overall pond health. Two of the most effective species we offer for vegetation control are Grass Carp and Tilapia—each playing a different but complementary role in your pond’s ecosystem.
Grass Carp are an exotic species well known for their ability to control submergent aquatic vegetation naturally. They’re typically one of the first vegetation-management fish we have available in the spring.
At Pond King, all Grass Carp are triploid, meaning they are sterile and cannot reproduce. The fish we sell are usually around 12 inches long and, when stocked correctly, can live 10–12 years in Texas, making them an excellent long-term investment for vegetation management.
Because Grass Carp are considered an exotic species, Texas residents must obtain a permit prior to stocking. The application process is handled entirely online through Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) and typically takes about four weeks, so planning ahead is key.
Beginning sometime in April, we start stocking Mozambique Tilapia, and they’re typically available through June. Tilapia offer multiple benefits, making them a popular choice for bass-driven ponds.
Tilapia are prolific breeders, reproducing every 4–5 weeks, which makes them an outstanding forage source for Bass fisheries.
In addition to providing a steady food supply, Tilapia actively consume filamentous algae, helping improve water quality and reduce nuisance growth while supporting a healthier pond ecosystem.
While Tilapia are very hardy fish, they are not native to Texas and are sensitive to water temperature. When water temperatures drop to 55°F or lower, they become lethargic and eventually die off. This natural die-off is why Tilapia have a relatively short stocking season—we wait until water temperatures are consistently suitable before offering them.
Since 2021, certain Texas counties require a TPWD permit to stock Tilapia. As with any exotic species, stocking Tilapia comes with added responsibility, and our fisheries biologists are available to help you determine whether Tilapia are permitted—and appropriate—for your pond.
Fall is another ideal window for stocking fish, thanks to cooler water temperatures and reduced stress on newly stocked fish. Our fall stocking season typically begins in September and runs through late October or early November, depending on how long warm weather holds on.
During the fall months, we carry many of the same species available in spring, with the exception of Tilapia and Crawfish, which require warmer water temperatures. Once fall stocking wraps up, we may also offer Rainbow Trout, when available, giving pond owners an additional seasonal option for both recreation and management.
Rainbow Trout are a seasonal offering at Pond King and are typically available in December. Trout are stocked by pre-order only, and minimum order requirements do apply. Depending on availability, we offer Trout in forage sizes or as adult fish averaging around one pound.
Forage-size Trout are an excellent winter forage option for Bass. They provide a high-protein meal during colder months, helping Bass maintain condition and even add weight through the winter.
Stocking Trout as forage also helps reduce feeding pressure on Bluegill and other baitfish, allowing those populations to recover and recruit more effectively. Plus, Trout add variety to your forage base, giving Bass something new to key in on.
For pond owners who enjoy fishing just as much as management, adult Rainbow Trout are a popular choice. They’re aggressive, fun to catch, and great on the table.
Adult Trout bring a unique twist to your pond fishing experience—you can target them with fly-fishing or spin-casting, offering a refreshing change from traditional bait-casting. Whether stocked alone or alongside forage Trout, they add both excitement and versatility to winter fishing.
At Pond King, fish health comes first—always. When we transport fish, they’re moved in oxygenated water using water-tight containers designed to minimize stress and maximize survival. As transport distance increases, so does the demand for oxygen, water volume, and weight. That combination quickly becomes impractical and works against the well-being of the fish.
Shipping fish simply isn’t cost-effective or conducive to strong survival rates, which is why we choose not to do it. Long transit times and uncontrolled conditions significantly increase stress and mortality—and that’s not a risk we’re willing to pass on to our customers.
There’s nothing more frustrating than investing in a stocking plan only to lose fish due to shipping-related stress. By keeping fish transport local and controlled, we ensure the fish you take home are healthy, strong, and ready to thrive in your pond.
When it comes time to stock your pond, there are two reliable options for getting your fish from Pond King to the water.
We can deliver the fish for you within our service area (be sure to check our service area map), or you’re welcome to pick them up directly from Pond King. Both options are designed to keep fish healthy and stress to a minimum.
If you plan to pick up your fish, we recommend reviewing our Freshwater Fish Pricing to see the species we currently offer and our Fish Stocking Plans to help determine the right quantities for your pond.
Inventory can change quickly, so always call ahead to confirm availability and schedule a pickup appointment. If a specific species isn’t available at the time you’re ready to stock, our team will be happy to let you know when we expect it back in inventory and help you plan accordingly.
Picking the right time for stocking your pond is crucial to the success of your fishery. It certainly requires planning and timing that our team can guide you through.
If you have any questions on stocking your pond or the fish we have available, stop by and see us at our office in Gainesville, Texas, give us a call or contact us today!
We'll see y'all down at the pond!
