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#422921 09/03/15 12:46 PM
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I live in southern illinois and was wondering if a pond 1/3 acre 10 foot max depth when full would support smallmouth. Im thinking no but maybe im wrong.

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Hi Tucker

Size and depth are OK. Are pond water levels fairly stable from precipitation or supplemental irrigation source [well]? These are important in my experience as SMB are not as tolerant of warm/low water temps/conditions as LMB.

1/3 ac pond would likely only support a small qty of SMB which isn't a bad thing. Depending on your goals, I'd recommend stocking 15-25 females. Otherwise you'll have to manage populations of M/F if they reproduce. In my experience they can, and will, spawn on clay substrate successfully.


Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~ Henry David Thoreau

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I have a 1/4 acre pond with SMB, RES, YP and golden shiners. I have limited recruitment of SMB and YP due to the golden shiners. SMB in a 1/3 acre pond should work.



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FWIW I have 5 SMB in my 1/3 acre. They hunt in a pack and seem to be thriving.


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Bill I'm seeing groups of LMB run in packs of 3-5 8" long fish all along the banks. No wonder I don't have any small BGs around

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I've raised smallies to 19" in a 7 ft deep pond. Pond was then renovated due to an infestation of GSF from a flooded stream.

Last edited by Bill Cody; 09/03/15 08:34 PM.

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FWIW: I added 6 SMB 8"-10" long to my 1/4 acre, LMB heavy pond 4 years ago. I'm now catching some 4" to 7" SMB. I may have some limited recruitment, although I've never caught nor seen the initially stocked SMB since I released them. There's a slight chance fingerling SMB could travel down the irrigation pipe that feeds the pond. I count this out.
The pond has lots of cover-dense weeds and some brushpiles. Crawfish are abundant; YP limited by the LMB, and newly arrived BG and GSF will be providing forage soon.

Last edited by 4CornersPuddle; 09/03/15 10:39 PM.
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I have over summered and over wintered 300 6-10" SMB in a 5' deep 1/3 ac pond only out of necessity. Wouldn't recommend it, but they made it. Keep populations managed and you could have a few dandy SMB.


Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~ Henry David Thoreau

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"FWIW I have 5 SMB in my 1/3 acre. They hunt in a pack and seem to be thriving".

Bill the difference between YP and hockey teams is that hockey players carry clubs but have rules like roughing.


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Tucker, I'm on the north end of southern IL (Clay County)--if that makes any sense--and my smallies are doing well. Is this a new pond, or is it already established? There is also a good so IL hatchery (Logan Hollow Fish Farm) that offers SMB. I believe they are only available during the winter. Mine cost $3/ea and were supposed to be 4-6" long. However, they were only "2, but I received double what I ordered. They are nice folks to work with and could offer good advice.

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I have 1/10 acre pond in south central Michigan. Pond is 14' deep in center but 5 to 7 feet on average. I planted 30 SMB at 2" last fall. They are now 7 to 9 inches, hunt in packs. The only thing I have in the pond, besides the SMB, are trout and tens of thousands of fat head minnows. The SMB don't seem very interested in fish food but the FHM's are and the SMB nail the minnows when they are after fish food.


I just got a new pond, I made it twice because I aint so bright.
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2" SMB in late Fall troubles me. SMB in IL should spawn in mid/late May, and 5 month old fish should be at least 4" in the Fall, with exceptional fish reaching 7-8". My personal record is 9" after 5 months growth. Just a word of warning, don't be the easy out for a hatchery trying to dump inferior [runt] fish. I do hope these fish thrive for you, just something for others to bear in mind when buying fish.


Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~ Henry David Thoreau

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TJ are those couch potato SMB u r raising ? smile

Tracy


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Well thats all good info fellas. The pond will be rotenoned next week so im starting over. Im still flip floping back n forth from hbg pond or bg. Or both. Not made my mind up yet. I thought if i wend hbg i could maybe do smb and was thinking they may not reproduce as much as lmb. Maybe even hsb if they will live. Any thoughts.

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This is what I would do

Stock 1-2# FHM and 100 crayfish as forage this fall. Can go more, don't need to. GSH or other shiner species this fall or next spring will help diversify forage base. Grass shrimp are always a nice addition for your panfish.

200 - 300 HBG and 100 RES Summer 2016

15-25 Female SMB Fall 2016

Optional:

Stock 100-200 YP Fall 2016

Ladder stock 5 WE annually - total population 25-30 replace annually as harvest and goals mandate.

Ladder stock 3 HSB annually - total population 15 - 20 replace annually as harvest and goals mandate.


Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~ Henry David Thoreau

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