Maybe someone with a lot of knowledge and experience might know more about ponds than me. I’m just 47 years old. I would like to fish some ponds in my North Central Texas locality especially some of these large soil conservation ponds and lakes that are spread throughout the countryside.
I have always heard as a kid fishing ponds that fish eggs are carried about by nature and so a pond with no creek flowing through It may or may not have fish in there such as crappy. Has anyone heard of this before? I just wonder if it’s worth the time to fish ponds that no one has stocked before. Thank you for your input, it may be an ignorant question.

All ponds that have been there for even a few years will have fish. What species end up there can be a crapshoot. Could be crappie, bass, and bluegill, or it could be overrun with bullheads and green sunfish. It’s really just luck of the draw, it’s a fair assumption that you probably won’t find channel or blue catfish, but bluegill, crappie, bullheads, bass, and any type of sunfish are possibilities. If you can find a pond that sits in a flood plane you’ll probably find almost every species that lives in north texas.

Many of the ponds in Texas were stocked with fish by the agencies that created the ponds. Usually the stockings would include largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and some type of a forage fish. However, as mentioned above, ponds can ultimately contain a variety of fish. When I am investigating a new waterbody I usually start by looking up the pond on the Texas Parks and Wildlife site to see if there are records for the lake, I talk to local anglers, and then I fish the lake using a variety of fishing methods.

Hard to believe, but this is how some ponds may be stocked:

https://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthre...;Board=20&main=22259&type=thread

Those soil conservation lakes are often on private property... Like way more often than not. I would be very sure to have permission if so.

its an odd thing I used to hear guys argue about, they would be like "Well the state made the lakes, and they stocked them, using taxpayers money..." yet they are on private property and the owner has no obligation to allow access.

Talk amongst yourself.

Right, most are on private property and need permission. I was going to offer folks a few$$$ to let me and my dad fish. I live and work all over Grayson County and I work in the neighboring counties quite a bit, and there are some really large soil conservation lakes that I never see people fishing on, which really gives me the want to..

Friend of mine has one on their family property. It was built in the 50's for flood control. The state stocked as part of the agreement to allow access to build the lake. Its about 20 acres and relatively shallow ( about 10ft max). Lot of stunted bass but not uncommon to go and catch 100 in a day.

We are in the business of leasing lakes. And have built a data base of more than 4000 landowners who own lakes 10 acres or larger within 90 miles of San Antonio, Austin, Houston, Dallas and Fortworth, We have spoken to hundreds of them and the ones that we have not had a conversation receive direct mail invitations to lease; frequently. I won't say its impossible but the ones interesting in a few$$$ have likely heard from us. If you find one who is interested in letting you fish for money, call us and we will work a deal that likely exceeds your expectations.

I've heard this one a bunch. Federal government built most of them in the 50's 60's 70's and a few since then. The county is in charge of maintaining them. The state owns the water that is in them. The landowner controls access.

In 1980 the state of Texas stopped stocking private lakes. 1980 was the year that started a new industry of Private Lake Management. Lake management companies are where the bulk of fish stocking comes from these days for larger private lakes. Smaller private ponds are often stocked by individual landowners, who buy from the local AG store who brings in the dreaded "Fish Truck", who will sell you anything to make a buck. Landowners more often than not, don't understand what to buy or how much to buy.

Sorry for the rant. Not 100% exactly on target from your original question.

Answer: Most likely any fish that is found in a body of water that was not stocked was brought in during a flooding event. It only takes an inch or so depth of water that connects two bodies of water for this to take place. In some cases these two bodies of water can be miles apart. Small fry will move many miles. The wives tail of eggs on bird legs is likely more folk lore than reality. Is it possible, maybe... but the odds are against it.

I have a retention pond a few miles from house that sits on the edge of a subdivision. I have been driving but it for 20 years and I have never ever seen anyone fishing it. Around 5 years ago I had a flat on my truck right near the pond. I could not remove the lug nuts without a four way so I had to wait on my son to bring me one. I keep a spinning rod in my truck at all times so I could not pass up the opportunity to make a few cast. I made 5 cast and caught three 14" bass and a 11" crappie. The pond probably in the backyard of 15 homes so I doubt anyone would give me permission to access their backyard to make it to the pond. I doubt I could ask the HOA permission. I would guess their is alot of stunted fish in this pond but I doubt I will ever find out.

Most of the country people that I know, considerer it respectful when a man like myself knocks on their door and asks if him, his three little boys and nis dad could offer them a few dollars to fish in their pond. I have people who let me hunt on their property just to be kind to neighboring folks like ourselves. The current place that we hunt on now we have offered the owner plenty of money to lease it every year and she always tells us no don’t worry about it. Just go out there and have a good time.. Sad to hear someone would like to take that away.

I think that is awesome and love that there are some landowners who are delighted to have young folks experience the great outdoors. If its working keeping doing it. Most of all glad you are getting your kids outdoors. The memories made and lessons taught are invaluable.

With five ponds I've built, stocked, and managed over the past 1/2 century I think I meet your qualifications to post a response.

First, it isn't an ignorant question...far from it. There are many theories out there about all kinds of ways imaginable that ponds get fish in them. As far as I'm aware, there is no settled science, however.

For myself and my ponds, the only fish in them are the ones I stocked or that were offspring of those I stocked. That is 1/2 century of experience. Human element should never be underestimated.

Is it worth the time to fish unknown ponds, in my view that's why it is called fishing not catching. As long as proper permissions are arranged, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Thanks, that’s good to know. One of the reasons why ask is videos I’ve seen. Have you ever seen this guy on YouTube named Ty Pig Patrol? He catches monster fish of all species out of what looks like small city lakes and ponds.