Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Managing the Fish Harvest

One question I have is how to set up a harvesting plan for a two-year old 1 acre pond. I stocked approx 8/1 ratio ... 300 BG, 100 redear (October 2010), 50 bass (April 2011). Recent fishing investory yielded several 7" bluegill (one 8"+) and eight bass in the 10" - 12" with a couple in the 8" range. Can you fish the BG without limits now? Or do you leave the larger BG (7"+) in for spawn stock and only take out the smaller BG (6" and below)? I won't fish the bass until next year, and then selectively with strict limits. Not sure how much recruitment I got this year from the bass, but maybe a few of the larger ones spawned. I'm guessing most will spawn next year. Thanks for your input.

I don't ever harvest my stocker fish (first ones stocked into the pond). At year 4 we begin harvest of mid sized BG and 10-12 inch LMB. It does depend on the water in question so you need to learn about determining pond balance and fish assessment.