Oh no...looks like it's about that time again.

Let the war begin!

I feel sorry for you all that have to deal with the water turkeys (that is what you call them, right?)...The goose of dread is showing itself around here... Luckily not at my pond, yet!

Thanks Quarter....last year was my worst ever. We'll see how it goes trying to protect our fish from this crazy 1918 law that needs to be amended to reflect the 100 year later reality...but good luck with that.

ZEP, noise makers, like a shotgun and or a 22mag's sound will cause most of them to move on. But there are some that don't want to move off the pond. In that case I point the noise makers in their direction. I was once hit hard by these birds so I don't tolerate them at my place.

Tracy I am willing to try anything...lol..but since I am usually only there on weekends....those thieves are free to roam 4-5 days a week. I recently bought some reflective tape and will do the "eye" reflector which both worked pretty well last year. I just waited too late to add them. If things get really bad I will even try the ItalyBASS mono filament line trick....at least in part of the pond...but I hate to do that because I just added the mini-pontoon boat. Might get interesting. Thanks for the advice.

I have no experience with what I'm suggesting, so take it FWIW.

How about setting up one of those inflatable man things, have the blower on a timer set to run several times per day, and include a stereo device, or something similar, that would broadcast the sounds of gunshots or other noises at the same time that the blowup monster was running? By not running the device all the time, it could retain some of its surprise value.

4Corners...I bet that might help. It's all a matter of degree and pieces to the puzzle...almost nothing will work 100%. But yes that sounds like an interesting low cost easy idea. When it was bad last year the water turkey would see me out on my pier or fire-pit and many of them just kept on doing what they do...a few might fly off...but certainly not all. Even a scare shot with my AR-15 was maybe 50% effective. The reflective tape actually worked pretty well...but I read it's success varies from year to year.

I am off to South Bend - Go Irish!

I was able to acquire a Cormorant Predation permit from the state but in their infinite stupidity they discontinued them last year. Those things are terrible!

A few have shown up here.

I've already seen dozens fly over my pond, but none in the pond thanks to the lines.

I believe the feds took over cormorant predation permits, so states can no longer issue them. Probably hard to get.

Very.

IIRC, you have to be able to show a loss, which is hard to do if you don't sell fish.

I already gave up re:predators. What will be will be.

3S rule applies.

I'm sure you're right under the law, but that law is a travesty.

Consider: Say you spend 100k to consult with pond experts, build a dam, shape the pond bottom, and create gravel beds for spawning. Then you spend 5k to stock fish, including additions annually like Tilapia. Then you spend 3k on fish feeders & replacements, plus 3k on fish food over a period of years. And 4k on liming & fertilization over the years. Plus electro surveys costing 3k over the years.

Add to that 5k for a dock so the kids can fish, and another 5k for a boat. Plus 2k buying artificial structure and getting it placed.

Total: $130,000. Now, if the cormorants take 20 percent of the fish, that is a loss of $26,000 of your entire fish investment. Shouldn't matter that you don't sell your fish, that's the loss.

If laws were fair, individual pond owners would not be treated as second class citizens. Our efforts do enormous good for the environment, including predatory birds!

20%? Heck, they took, in my estimation, about 80% of mine.

How are "they" gonna catch you anyway, if you off some C'rants on a pond neighbors cannot see?

We ought to push for legislation allowing a tax deduction for losses from predators. Maybe electro survey estimate of pond biomass before and after cormorants do their thing.

If governments started losing tax revenue to cormorant activity, you can bet they'd be a lot more willing to allow us to protect our fish.

LOL! That would be cool but, unfortunately, the only concern of our law makers is getting re-elected! ...and of course, where the campaign dollars come from dictates their decisions!

You're right, but remember it's harder for them to get campaign $ if they have fewer taxpayer $ to pass out.

...IMO If you could get the NRA to take up the cause you would stand a chance of getting the laws changed

While walking the pond bank yesterday I found a large cnbg on the dam. found 3 bloody marks/punctures on one side of the fish. Could not figure it out till I saw the Bald Eagle was back at the pond and circling overhead. He's back again! He has shown up around this time for the past 3 yrs. I think it is because the Tp start slowing down and fish will hang near the waters surface while sunning and trying to warm up. I was impressed and excided to see him when he first showed up a few years back but now not so much. I don't do anything to discourage him but still, other than him looking good, I wished he would move on.

Bottle rockets around holidays work well !

Changed to protect the innocent. PM me if you have questions.

I have a friend with a drone. Cormorants don't like drones.

Since we aren't bothered by those boogers up here, I'm wondering if a gill net from the surface to 5' water (or so) depth with the mesh sized appropriately would accidentally catch some as you were taking a fish population survey in your pond?

Many fisheries here do what you said.
They have large, shallow rectangular basins in which they put, at right angles to the long sides, 4 or 5" wire meshes every 150/160 feet, supported by poles planted in the bottom. Those meshes go from the bottom to a few inches below the water surface, for almost the entire width of the basin. When the cormorant swims chasing the fish, he slips in and gets stuck.

Oh wouldn't that be "sad" if a bunch of them drowned caught in the net.

You're right Zep. Surely the owners of the fisheries hire divers who stay nearby, ready to intervene instantaneously to free the tender little bird that should get stuck in the net.

Fascinating!

Lead works