Goldfish Transferred To Natural Pond

Question
I have 2 goldfish that have lived in a bowl for 3-4 years (they're a few inches
long). Recently I was reading up on goldfish bowls and how harmful they are
to the fish. I want them to be in a better environment, and I'm debating about
whether to put them in a larger fish-tank (a 20-gallon aquarium) or transfer
them to our pond.
The pond is a natural pond in our backyard. It spans 1/8th of an acre and is 6
feet deep. It has algae, duckweed, etc (and two giant catfish I see from time
to time). I have two pet ducks that live there, and it's infrequently visited by
herons.
If I were to transfer the goldfish to the natural pond, would they survive? Or
are they too used to life in a tiny bowl to navigate the wild? If I fed them in
the pond, would they even find the food? The pond is so big. Would they get
eaten? Starve? Die of shock?
I just want to know what's best for the fish - an aquarium or a natural pond.
(And if I were to transfer them to the pond, how would I go about doing it?)

Thanks!

-Sarah

Answer
Hi Sarah,
Thanx for your question.  Goldfish are members of the Carp family and in most temperate climates that includes most of the U.S. and Southern Canada in North America, the fish should do fine outdoors.  The problem for your goldfish in my view would not be from the shock of being introduced to a natural pond or even finding food.  There is so much natural food in the form of insects and plantlife, your goldfish would never starve.  The problem for goldfish only a few inches long could possibly be the ducks (some ducks eat small fish) but more likely bullfrogs and visiting herons.  I can almost guarantee that the herons will find your goldfish and gobble them up.  Your gold fish are safer in an aquarium indoors.  I'm sure there are probably other small fish in your natural pond otherwise the herons wouldn't visit very often (there are probably frogs and other creatures the herons can eat too).  I'm just saying it is more likely the herons will take care of the goldfish than shock or starvation or even the ducks.  On the other hand, the goldfish might get lucky and survive and spawn and make tons of new goldfish so that you and the herons can enjoy them.  If you want tot transfer the fish to the pond, put them in a large plastic bag or bowl that will float in the water (make sure there is plenty of the water from their fishbowl in the bag or bowl).  Allow the bowl or bag to float in a protected area of the pond where it will not be exposed to direct sunlight (direct sunlight could cause the water to overheat inside a plastic bag or bowl) for about an hour.  This allows the temperature of the fishes' original environment (the bowl) to equalize to the pond's temperature.  I hope this helps.
Tom