For decades, Nixa Hardware & Seed Co. has been the trusted partner for Southwest Missouri landowners looking to establish and maintain healthy pond fish populations. Twice a year—every Spring and Fall—we host our pond fish stocking events to provide high-quality live fish and forage fish to the local community.
Whether you are starting a new ecosystem or supplementing an existing one, our pond fish stocking seasonal events ensure you get the right species at the right time.
Expert Tip: Acclimate for Success
To ensure your new fish survive the transition, do not dump them directly into your pond. Instead, spend 15–20 minutes slowly adding pond water to your transport containers. This allows the fish to adjust to the temperature and pH of their new home. Once the water temperatures are equalized, you can safely release them into the shallows.
Pond Fish Species Availability and Pre-Order Information
We offer a diverse selection of species for pond fish stocking proven to thrive in Missouri waters. Our inventory for the Spring and Fall cycles typically includes:
- Game Fish: Catfish, Bass, Crappie, and Bluegill.
- Specialty Species: Redear Sunfish and Grass Carp.
- Forage: Fathead Minnows.
For a balanced pond, we recommend a stocking rate of 1,000 minnows per surface acre during both the spring and fall seasons when stocking a pond with fish. This ensures your predator fish have a consistent food source to reach trophy sizes.
To guarantee availability, we highly recommend utilizing our online pre-order page. Demand is high in SWMO, and pre-ordering is the only way to ensure your specific count is reserved before the truck arrives.
Pickup Day Procedures and Transport Requirements
To keep the process efficient for everyone, we use a streamlined “drive-thru” system at our Nixa location for our pond fish stocking events.
- Arrival: Follow the directional signs to the back of the property.
- Check-in: Stay in your vehicle and form two lines. A team member will confirm your order name and hand you a ticket.
- Transport Water: You must bring your own containers—stock tanks, coolers, buckets with lids, or trash cans. These must be filled with well water or pond water.
- Warning: Do not use chlorinated (city) water, as it is lethal to the fish.
- Packaging: Our team will transfer your fish into your containers. Please note that only minnows are provided pre-bagged in oxygenated water. All other species require your provided transport setup.
Pickup Location
934 N Nicholas Rd, Nixa, MO 65714
