Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Feeding Bass backing off on feed

Recently my pellet trained largemouths and smallmouths are not feeding as actively, and in fact, I have gone from feeding twice a day to only once a day in the morning. Water clarity stays at about two feet with an algae bloom and I have not seen any evidence of oxygen problems. The water's not too warm as we have not really had it that hot here in northern Indiana this summer. Water temps are peaking at about 79 F.

Anyone else have this happening?

I'm hoping I am not having disease problems as I did have some bacterial and/or parasite problems in the past. Hoping it was bacterial vs. parasites, I put them on feed with an antibiotic for 10 days. That was a few weeks ago and they fed fine after the 10 days.

Thinking of catching several, and if I still see signs of minor ulcers I will treat the pond with 2 ppm potassium permanganate to kill off possible parasites.

Anyone else see bass slow down in feed this time of year? I do know they also feed on bluegills which are most abundant now.I feed up to 100 largemouths from about a lb and a quarter to over 4 lbs. Most average about 3 1/2 pounds. There are about 100 smallmouth from 1/2 pound to 2 1/2 pounds.

I had the same problem when it went days without rain and was very hot and humid. I thought maybe the bass went deep.

Rufuscatfish

I had a similar problem with my Coppernose bluegill around the end of July. My bass were just stocked. However, my water temperatures were getting way up over 90. I've also backed off to just the morning and evening feedings. Evenings are still better.