Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Raising Forage and Bait Happy Accidents and Crayfish Stocking Rates

Crazy thing - I forgot I had set my minnow traps 4 days ago in an effort to capture GSH and FHM and transfer from Main pond to the SMB and BC Crappie ponds. As you know, 4 days spells minnow genocide as they will typically expire unless you check traps every 24 hrs.

I was expecting six traps of awful smelling bloated BG and minnows. Imagine my surprise - they were packed full of tadpoles, as usual - but not a single dead minnow or BG. Instead - there were 7-8 large Crayfish in each trap. My guess is the traps were once full of dead minnows and BG, but the scent attracted the Crayfish and they made quick work of the meal.

Few things I learned from this experience:

1. How to effectively harvest Crawfish - bait traps with dead fish. Imagine beef or turkey liver would yield similar results. This is just like crabbing I did as a kid.

2. Pond ecosystems are pretty efficient. Even when I think I've wasted a valuable resource by killing scores of minnows and BG in my traps, I find they become a resource utilized by another important resource - the crayfish. Helps relieve some of my absent minded guilt.

3. Establishing a crayfish forage population isn't hard! I stocked 24 adult crayfish nearly three years ago with my initial FHM stocking - and rather forgot about it. I'd estimate there's a very healthy population established now. Once my SMB can get their mouths around them, they should be very pleased!

Do you know what species of crayfish you have TJ?

You should rename the Baitfish Cocktail thread to TJ's Pond.

There was an article I read not too long ago, can't remember where, where it went into detail why crayfish were THE ultimate forage for many species of fish. Man, your smallies are going to love them.

I will have to try out the dead fish bait in the creek. Maybe catch something other than creek chub.

I have not successfully IDed them, but I'm going to try. I know they are native to NE which was very important. I believe they are papershells but I will let you know or get some pics. I definitely know how to capture them!

Good deal TJ, glad you got them to take hold! With the grass shrimp and crayfish alone your bass will be well fed. Throw in all the shiners and minnows and they are gonna be growing fast!

How did you sit up the pond for these guys? I'm sure rocks are the main element but any other tips for producing large numbers? Can't find any one selling native crawfish here so would it be safe to get some form the wild? I know I use to catch a bunch in the branch behind my house when I was a kid.

Final question: I Found a bunch of broken up concrete on site (I have permission to use it and dump it in the pond by owner)were should I place the rock? There some at the spillway already, most of it is cemented together though.