Hey BBJR - do give us an update on whats going on in your pond.
Hey, TJ. I will try to find a thread I started that has all my stocking info on it, but I can give you the updates that I haven't posted, yet.
You definitely have one of the most multispecies[ish] pond on the forum.
It has gotten even more diverse, since the last time I updated my sig. My pond now includes a rock bass, 10 PS, crayfish, a 10lb flathead, and 7-8 LMB (unfortunately, the LMB can be accredited to my good hearted and less educated (in regards to pond management), best friend).
Tell us about stocking dates, sizes, your feeding, fish growth, and how the fishing is coming?
Right now I am feeding the fish game fish chow, three times a day, and am probably going through a bag every 6 weeks, or so. I only see the GSF and the GSH actually eating the food. I have been building my house and have not had as much time to fish as I would like, but I still try to get out there when I can. Here are some updates on the different species:
GSF-looking much healthier, now; averaging 6-7 inches in length
YP-underweight, and smaller in population than the GSF; average length caught is 8-10 inches
FHM-haven't seen any in since the first summer they were in there, three years ago
GSH-definately have a breeding population; I see several different schools
SMB-low recruitment, although I still see smaller schools of 6-8 inch fish; first year stockers are around 14-16 inches
RES-I have only caught one and it was last fall, but it was very fat and around 8"; I do not see them, either
HSB-I have not seen or caught a single one (I stocked 25, I think, 1.5 years ago)
WE-only stocked 5 to see how they would do, but I have not caught any, yet
CC-haven't seen them this year, but they have been growing very quickly
Blue Tilapia-no budget for them this year
Grass Shrimp-I haven't done any sampling specifically for them, but I haven't seen any this year; Can you tell me what you do when you sample for them? Can they be seen in the water?
Rock Bass-caught him twice in a row last fall (It felt like finding a needle in a haystack)
crayfish-haven't seen them, I imagine the SMB had a good dinner the night we put them in
Flathead Catfish-I let my BIL throw him in there last fall (probably a big mistake, but I like the thought of possibly catching him); I imagine he is doing great and probably has a belly full of HSB
PS-I caught one 3 weeks ago, and he put on about 2 inches from last summer; 8-10 inches on average
LMB-I hate the fact that these are in there, but I got to deal with it now; I seen two seperate schools of fry this spring; I am going to try to remove every one of them and had one for dinner tonight; she was very healthy (although I did not get a weight), but I was surprised to see she still had her eggs; this gives me some hope that the schools of fry I seen may be half SMB/ half LMB
I've been considering another predator to two to help keep my BG and GSH numbers in check and Saugeye or Walleye were at the top of my list. I haven't read much at all on WE success in ponds, but I think we could all use the info.
I wish I could give you a little insight on this one. When I get some time this fall, I am going to spend some serious time fishing specifically for them to see how they are doing. I will let you know if they put on any growth. Part of me thinks they were already dinner for the flathead, though.