Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Anyone use a Fishing Log or Diary they'll share?

Fishing logs/diaries are a GREAT idea for pondowners. You can use this information to track changes in the fish community over time.

Fishery biologists rely quite a bit on two pieces of information that you can get from you log. First, you will be able to track changes in size structure over time. For example, many ponds tend toward higher density, smaller largemouth bass over time. Over a several year period, you'll be able to see if such changes are occurring in your pond.

Second, biologists also like to calculate some measure of "relative abundance." For example, the number of 8-inch and longer largemouth bass caught per hour of night electrofishing is usually a pretty good indicator of bass abundance (density). With a log/diary, you can track number of bass caught per hour of fishing time, and it should provide a reasonable index of fish abundance.

Even if you work with a trained pond consultant, this information would be great. I know that if I wanted to sample a pond and assess the fish community, I would be tickled pink to see a multiple-year log of fishing results.

Dave