Stock management KEYS fish harvesting - 02/14/18 05:17 PM
I used to fish a 1+ acre pond that was perfectly balanced
for years (5 to 10) we caught large quantities and nice sized fish
+12oz Bluegill
+16oz Crappie
+3lb LMB bass
this was a great learning experience (combined with college fisheries management) to discover what I'd consider the KEYS to well balanced pond management.
#1 yearly harvest all 3 species or 1 species will become stunted.
#2 harvest Bass YES take <12" probably 50-80 per acre
#3 harvest equal #'s of Bluegill & crappie 100+ per acre
#4 bullfrogs or whatever frog species definitely helps
#5 keep geese out, just adds to more mess & algae
#6 crayfish also helps
that's been my experience, and I hope to put this method to good use after we stock our new pond this year
interested to know who else harvests similarly, especially the bass
for years (5 to 10) we caught large quantities and nice sized fish
+12oz Bluegill
+16oz Crappie
+3lb LMB bass
this was a great learning experience (combined with college fisheries management) to discover what I'd consider the KEYS to well balanced pond management.
#1 yearly harvest all 3 species or 1 species will become stunted.
#2 harvest Bass YES take <12" probably 50-80 per acre
#3 harvest equal #'s of Bluegill & crappie 100+ per acre
#4 bullfrogs or whatever frog species definitely helps
#5 keep geese out, just adds to more mess & algae
#6 crayfish also helps
that's been my experience, and I hope to put this method to good use after we stock our new pond this year
interested to know who else harvests similarly, especially the bass