A Tale of Two Ponds - #1 - 05/11/09 11:44 PM
Have read a lot of the archived post and thought I had a handle on Pond #1 but fish data doesn't add up. This pond is owned by a friend and he has done a good bit but lately he's been tied up trying to make a living.
5 acres
Max depth: 16 ft
Source: Wet weather spring and run off
Age: 15years- friend bought 8 years ago
Goal: Leaning toward trophy LMB
In 2006 the pond was shocked.
Results:
BG: Good number of large fish, lacking enough 2-4" fish
LMB: Good numbers but stunted
WC: Some all sizes
CC: Few 5 lb and up. We had caught many and had some good fish fries.
Recommendation/Action:
Feed BG
Limed and fertilized
Added 20 lb FHM
Added 300 2-4" BG
Recommended removing CC and many 12-14" LMB
Feeding and fertization were discontinued at the end of 2007 due to time constraints.
Fishing this year has been dismal, so I thought I'd investigate. From creel records, trapping and observation I found the following:
LMB: Few bass all in the 10-14" range. RW .85 None found below 8 1/2 inch
BG: Many 2-4" Few caught above 7" were male HBG with RW 1,00+(guess these came with the stocking in 06) No YOY found
WC: None in evidence from fishing (minnow and jigs) or trapping
CC: 2 or 3 left in the 20 lb range. One is albino so we've left them alone for conversation piece
FHM: Few in evidence, some YOY observed
There is the possibility that the BG and WC were fished pretty hard in 07 by friend's in-laws, Conflicting reports on how many they caught.
Baffled by absence of small LMB and all WC. Any ideas?
5 acres
Max depth: 16 ft
Source: Wet weather spring and run off
Age: 15years- friend bought 8 years ago
Goal: Leaning toward trophy LMB
In 2006 the pond was shocked.
Results:
BG: Good number of large fish, lacking enough 2-4" fish
LMB: Good numbers but stunted
WC: Some all sizes
CC: Few 5 lb and up. We had caught many and had some good fish fries.
Recommendation/Action:
Feed BG
Limed and fertilized
Added 20 lb FHM
Added 300 2-4" BG
Recommended removing CC and many 12-14" LMB
Feeding and fertization were discontinued at the end of 2007 due to time constraints.
Fishing this year has been dismal, so I thought I'd investigate. From creel records, trapping and observation I found the following:
LMB: Few bass all in the 10-14" range. RW .85 None found below 8 1/2 inch
BG: Many 2-4" Few caught above 7" were male HBG with RW 1,00+(guess these came with the stocking in 06) No YOY found
WC: None in evidence from fishing (minnow and jigs) or trapping
CC: 2 or 3 left in the 20 lb range. One is albino so we've left them alone for conversation piece
FHM: Few in evidence, some YOY observed
There is the possibility that the BG and WC were fished pretty hard in 07 by friend's in-laws, Conflicting reports on how many they caught.
Baffled by absence of small LMB and all WC. Any ideas?