I've been told many times that it's a bad idea to feed in early morning, especially in summer, because dissolved oxygen levels are at their lows for the day. Wait until the sun gets high, plants rev up photosynthesis, and DO increases!

Then I heard Bob L praise a strategy of 5:30am feeding to cut back on bird predation. It's the coolest time of the day, too, which is a big plus in the summer heat.

So what gives? If "it depends", what does it depend on?

Ive never heard of a problem like that

Both feeding time philosophies have merit. If you don't have bird predation that part of the equation does not apply. I use the evening feeding time schedule which can be at dark. I have never see any data about how much temperature difference there is at the surface at 5:30am vs 9:20pm in June - July. Anyone have this temperature data. Duration of aeration operation is important in the temperature comparisons.

Bill, on sunny hot days I've seen morning vs afternoon temp differences of 10 or 12F at my pond. Don't know how much DO levels change, though.

Are there any actual scientific studies on this topic?

You'd think people would be more interested in this subject, considering we're now heading into the hot summer. Curious. Guess I'll ask Bob on Wednesday.

I have done both. When I was growing BG and CC to maximum size as quickly as possible, I was feeding morning and evening. I never noticed much difference in feed response.

I feed around 9 am ish but can’t imagine it hurting them earlier than that , they active early anyway

Thanks, John and Pat. Neither of you saw dead fish after the early feeding, I guess. I'm gonna shift my 1 and 4pm feedings to 9am. Maybe 8pm as well in areas that get afternoon shade.

I feed at 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM. That has worked fine for me with good response. My thinking when I started a few years ago was that is when the wind is normally at it's most calm. My feeders are all on the west side so in the evening they are shaded. We have very few days when the wind is not blowing 10+ mph.

Interesting. I have two on the west side and one on the east. So you haven't seen any dead fish after the 7am feed? I'm beginning to wonder if the whole "don't feed early morn or the fish will die of oxygen starvation" thing is a myth.

I am a novice and had never heard of the early feeding issue possibilities. In 20 yrs. there has not been any kind of a fish kill. It's a 10 A. rock quarry and all but a 1/2 A. area used for spawning it is 23-35 ft. deep. We get no run off because of a large berm around the whole thing. The water level stays very consistent by just filtering in trough the limestone. The only time we see any death loss is maybe 5 or 6 BG after the stress and activity of the first spawn. I saw the first BG nests yesterday. The fish have been healthy and have been doing quite well. It is only 1/2 mile from the house and I am there at least 2 times a day. I enjoy trying to learn by watching and let them tell me what works for them. I think our situation is different then most and really don't want to influence anyone because what may work for us may not be the best for someone else. I really do have fun but still have challenges like not being able to get my Crappies going. I have gone on long enough because I could go on for some time.

I've never heard nor found that feeding in the morning could be a problem.

Never heard this or seen any science suggesting this is an issue.

Fish sense low O2 and reduce/stop feeding. If the fish are eating well at 7 in the morning I doubt there is a low O2 problem.

+1

When growing high densities of fish in aquaculture, delaying feeding until O2 has recovered from the dawn low is commonly practiced. But recreational fisheries are typically at low relative densities and feed rates are much lower, so it isn't necessary to delay feeding provided, as Eric mentioned, the fish are feeding well in the morning.

Thanks, gentlemen. Knew I'd read about this as a potential problem, but didn't know how or if it applied to recreational pond. I'll give morning a try, the water temp should be much easier on fish in the summertime.

Anthropic, I am feeding 9 times a day right now here in central Louisiana and have not seen any issues thus far. The water is moving constantly just prior to feeder going off from my fish and the water boils once it does go off. I have it set to start at 6am till 7 pm, about 150 lbs a month being fed, no floaters. The only issue is getting them to hit a worm......just doesn't happen often.....mostly beetle spins / top water baits.....

Thanks, Coup. Maybe I could do 6am and 9am when the water is relatively cool, then in the evening. My problem with beetle spins is that the CNBG just kill it, especially large fish, so LMB usually don't get the chance. Love big CNBG, but I'm trying to catch & harvest smaller LMB.

Guys,
Studies have proven that warmwater fish tend to prefer "optimal" temperature compared to "optimal" oxygen. They'd rather seek a better temperature with 'just enough' oxygen to be able to breathe.
Morning feedings are common, and healthy. Just because oxygen is lower in the mornings doesn't automatically cause fish not to feed. They really can't judge the difference between 3.5 ppm or 6.5 ppm. But their bodies can definitely instinctively adjust to temperatures. That's why bass hang out in the thermocline on hot summer days. Surface is too hot, and just because it has 6 ppm oxygen isn't motive. They'd rather hang out at 82 degrees in the thermocline than 91 at the surface, even though there's barely enough oxygen to stay alive.
Regarding feeding, stay with the premise of "hot" surface temperatures in the morning. When conditioned to fish food, they'll come eat and then head right back to where they are most comfortable.

this brings up another question. Is it better to feed more just twice per day (am and pm) or to feed a little less spread out over 4-5 times a day? Or does it make any difference (assumption is the same total amount is fed out either way)

Thanks, Bob. I fed at 6am this morning and after a two or three second hesitation they went gangbusters on it. Suspect they'll soon get used to the new schedule.

Tim,
Great question!
If you want to feed more numbers of fish, increase frequency. If you want the feed hogs to grow much larger, feed fewer times per day. Some fish are more aggressive than others and will dominate the feeder. If those fish are full, they are less likely to dominate, making room for the less aggressive fish to eat. Depending on the temperature, it takes about 8 hours for fish to digest fish food.

Very interesting. So if the main goal is to grow big LMB, frequent feeding would usually be best so as to maximize forage the bass could swallow. If the main goal is big BG, less frequent but more intense feeding is appropriate.

This is some good insight, thank you!!