fish population

Question
how do fish get into small ponds in the woods which didn't have fish to begin with or how do fish get into recently made drainage ditches outside developments when no one put them there

Answer
Hi Richard,

I have a friend who is a fisheries biologist that I have asked this question before.

The fish had to be introduced in there somehow.  Generally, it can be traced back to an inlet or outlet that was connected to some other piece of water that did have fish.  It doesn't take much.  One brief flood can wash a few fry into a pond and the next thing you know you have a pond full of bluegills.

When our biologists look deep enough they can usually find mention of someone doing a "midnight stocking".  These subdivision or industrial park rainwater retention ponds are famous for this.  

When no one can explain, there is always the possibility of the proverbial, "they came in on birds".  It is possible and does happen.  But in a biologists eye, it is a very slim chance and ranks right up there with unicorns and the tooth fairy.  

The first two explanations are far more likely.

Good fishing!

Marc