Forums36
Topics41,028
Posts558,646
Members18,544
|
Most Online3,612 Jan 10th, 2023
|
|
10 members (Theo Gallus, Jason D, Shorthose, Augie, Boondoggle, Theeck, Tinylake, Retired on 40, Sunil, Rick O),
975
guests, and
259
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 312
|
OP
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 312 |
So we finally moved into the new house in October. It has a 1/4 acre pond on it and I'm trying to recognize problems. From what I was able to read, having all my bass at the same length isn't a good thing. I have yet to catch anything bigger than what's in the picture below. I do have good variety of sizes in the bluegills, but nothing spectacular yet either. I also seem to have this muck pretty bad. I know it's probably not the best time of year to be doing anything, but I wanted to try and get my goals straight so I can try and make things happen come Spring.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 312
|
OP
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 312 |
I guess I forgot to write what I'm trying to gain here.
1) First thing I want to do is try and clean up the muck and grass bottom. There appears to be so many things that can be done that I'm kind of confused.
2) I want this to be a bluegill pond more than anything. I find the harvesting and feeding a little easier to follow, but I'm not sure how to determine if I have a good crop of bluegills already.
I'm open to any suggestions and I'm willing to answer any additional questions.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,607 Likes: 866
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
|
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,607 Likes: 866 |
From the picture, it looks like you have more FA than anything. For a large BG pond, don't sweat the LMB size. Look at the links in this thread. You should be able to identify the weeds/algae in your pond from them. If not, take a good close-up picture of a single strand of the weed on a white paper plate or sheet of computer paper, not a bunch globbed together. That should give us a good enough picture to be able to identify what you have. No need to get in a rush, things in the pond slow down during the winter anyway. Catch some BG and take a good look at their eye size in relationship to their body size. If they don't look like they have big eyes, then they aren't stunted, and all you might need to do is get them on a feeding program to jump start their growth rates. They don't feed heavily in water temps that are below 60°F, so there isn't any rush. I didn't see a pic of the LMB, did you put one up?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 312
|
OP
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 312 |
I did not esshup! Here's the only one I have so far. It's not as big as it appears in the picture, but that's just because of how far I'm holding it out. Thanks so much for the link too, I'm going to be reading it after dinner and a trip to the store!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 294
|
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 294 |
congratulations on the property,with a little tlc you'll get some good times from that pond.I am far from one of the resident guru's on the board but that bass is skinny imo and that bg might be a little on the stunted side too.............though I'm sure others that know more will chime in.Personally at this point I wouldn't worry about it,learn the basics,figure out what it is you want from your pond and go from there.
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,840
Lunker
|
Lunker
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,840 |
Can you post some more pics of your pond? I would like to get a better look at the whole body of water.
Thanks
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 236
Fingerling
|
Fingerling
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 236 |
Welsome to PB! Where in Maryland are you? I live in Rockville but found this site when researching a plan for a pond at my parent's place in VA.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 312
|
OP
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 312 |
I'm in Sykesville.
I will get more pictures tomorrow. I thought I had some, but I can't find any of the entire pond for some reason.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 312
|
OP
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 312 |
Haven't had a chance on those pictures yet. Been clearing downed tree's in the yard. Going to see if the wife will take some today.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 312
|
OP
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 312 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,544
Hall of Fame Lunker
|
Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,544 |
I believe in catch and release. I catch then release to the grease.. BG. CSBG. LMB. HSB. RES.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 294
|
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 294 |
Those look better than the first one but there are some weight charts on here that will tell you how they are really doing. If it was my pond I'd keep fishing and taking measurements and comparing them to here http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=160456#Post160456 Take a few notes and when the time comes you'll have the info you need to go in the direction you want. In the meantime just enjoy it.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 149
|
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 149 |
Nice pond, keep up on those cattails or they will get ahead on you and take over the whole shore of the pond.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 312
|
OP
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 312 |
At one point the cattails did take over the entire shore. I can see where they were cut back. I'm not certain how I'll manage that, but when the time comes, it'll be just another project...
Things I'm looking into right now are the lack of bluegills and possibly looking into Tilapia for the spring
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 969
Lunker
|
Lunker
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 969 |
I would also consider looking into a monthly application of a cold water bacteria formulated to lower your nitrogen and phosphorus levels throughout the winter.Using a product like AquaFix VitaStim Polar will give you a jump on Spring.Your pond is also a candidate for aeration.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 19
|
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 19 |
I guess I forgot to write what I'm trying to gain here.
1) First thing I want to do is try and clean up the muck and grass bottom. There appears to be so many things that can be done that I'm kind of confused.
2) I want this to be a bluegill pond more than anything. I find the harvesting and feeding a little easier to follow, but I'm not sure how to determine if I have a good crop of bluegills already.
I'm open to any suggestions and I'm willing to answer any additional questions. My first suggestion would be to work WITH "Mother Nature" rather than AGAINST "Her" on managing your pond. All ecosystems have what is called a "carrying capacity"......or in more simple terms.... a specific number and size of organisms that can occupy a given space or territory at any given time. The more diverse a habitat, the greater number and diversity of organisms that can live there. This is one reason why you DO NOT want to "over manage" your pond. Considering the apparent amount of organic debris that is entering your pond each year (surrounding oak trees...pine trees, etc.), and the relatively small size of the pond, I would most likely recommend some form of aeration. If you did end up adding bacteria, you want to make sure that you are not placing obligate aerobic bacteria into anaerobic conditions. No one really knows the predator/prey balance in your pond so it is difficult to recommend action in regard to the addition or removal of specific species. You may want to visit http://fishstocker.com/pondinfo.aspx for additional guidance. As you read specific recommendations on your pond, remember that your particular water conditions, climate, and watershed can vary from those providing you the information......and therefore may not be entirely accurate. Regards,
Jeff Gray (Aquatic Biologist) "Jack of All Trades.....Master of Some"
|
|
|
Moderated by Bill Cody, Bruce Condello, catmandoo, Chris Steelman, Dave Davidson1, esshup, ewest, FireIsHot, Omaha, Sunil, teehjaeh57
There are no members with birthdays on this day. |
|
|
|