On November 13, 2024, over 97,000 fish were transported from the Welaka National Fish Hatchery to Pistol Pond in the Florida National Panther Refuge. This first delivery of prey fish for the Pistol Pond Improvement project. The majority of fish delivered were redear sunfish and bluegill. Also stocked were mosquitofish, sailfin molly, and bluefin killifish.
Fish diversity is key to a well-managed pond. Adding these sunfish as well as the 3 species of native forage fish is a great start toward the goals of this project. The next delivery is scheduled for April of 2025.
Erin Myers at Pistol Pond while fish are acclimating to water
Agency staff discussing grasses at Pistol Pond
Agency staff discussing the project as the fish acclimate
Tony Brady providing stickers and information about the Welaka National Fish Hatchery
net containing hundreds of prey fish
Stock tank with over 90,000 fish
Thousands of prey fish being released into Pistol Pond
Dr Nora Demers, Director of Science and Outreach watching the delivery
Tony Brady monitoring fish delivery
The final hundreds of fish being released
Rinsing tank to get remaining fish into Pond
Pistol Pond