Fish Stocking Program

The District is no longer offering the bi-annual Fish Stocking Program. 

We want to thank all of our customers who have participated in this program since its inception over 50 years ago. Thanks to you, our District assisted nearly 900 landowners with stocking their ponds with over 246,500 fish for vegetation control, recreation and game purposes, and baitfish.

Thank you to Phil and Don from Finger Lakes Aquaculture for their many years dedicated to providing fish to residents of Monroe County. 

Residents who are looking to purchase triploid grass carp and game fish can reach out to the following companies:

Finger Lakes Aquaculture

7627 County Road 36

Naples, NY 14512 

585-374-2974

Smith Creek Fish Farm

5540 Route 362

Bliss, NY 14024

585-322-7805

Winter Pond Recommendations

Did you see dead fish floating in your pond last spring? One of the most common causes for a fish kill is not polluted water, but a lack of dissolved oxygen. A “winter fish kill” is a common occurrence during long winters where heavy snow covers the ice of a pond. In ponds, light penetrates the surface reaching plants in the water, and dissolved oxygen is produced through the process of photosynthesis. However, once a layer of ice has formed and snow accumulates on it, light can be blocked from reaching the bottom of the pond, which impairs the photosynthetic process, and therefore leads to reduced levels of dissolved oxygen. If this occurs for an extended period of time, fish can become stressed and die due to lack of oxygen. This is especially a concern for ponds that are very shallow and heavily vegetated.

 An easy way to prevent winter fish kills is to shovel the snow off the pond. This will allows light to penetrate through the ice and allow the photosynthetic process to continue. Be sure that the ice is thick enough to hold your own weight before shoveling. Another way to prevent winter fish kills is to install an aerator. A submergent aerator produces dissolved oxygen to help prevent this, although a continuous supply of electricity must be present. If you have any questions about winter fish kills, aerators, or other pond concerns please call the District.  

Permits & Links

Farm Fish Pond Permit Information
This permit is free, and is encouraged for stocking fish into a pond.
It should be returned to:
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Division of Fish, Wildlife, & Marine Resources
6274 East Avon-Lima Road
Avon, NY 14414
(585)226-2466

Download The NYS-DEC Application to Stock Triploid Grass Carp
This permit is free, and is required to purchase Triploid Grass Carp in NY State.
It should be returned to:
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Division of Fish, Wildlife, & Marine Resources
6274 East Avon-Lima Road
Avon, NY 14414
(585)226-2466

Application for Permit to Stock Fish
This permit is free, and is required to stock fish into a pond.
It should be returned to:
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Division of Fish, Wildlife, & Marine Resources
6274 East Avon-Lima Road
Avon, NY 14414
(585)226-2466

Links for further information:
Freshwater Fish Species of New York
Aquatic Vegetation Control Methods