Should I be Worried? - 09/14/11 01:24 AM
Spent a few hours fishing my pond this weekend in Michigan. It is in the final phase of a 3 year dig on a 4 acre pond. To dig the last phase they have dropped it 4-5 feet - it was completely full and is 15-18 feet deep in some spots. So it went from 3 acres to 2 acres. I have caught about 900 BG from very small to large, 30 small perch, 30 rock bass, 30 small LMB and small 10 SMB and put them in the pond over the last 2 years. I have also put zero cover into the pond but it has some weeds and stuff for the fish to eat. I know that at least the BG and LMB have had babies.
This past weekend I fished it for the first time for a few hours. Caught many fish including 2 14-16 inch LMB. They were no more than 6 inches when I put them in. The water is pretty clear and I see many other bass (at least 10) swimming around the same size. Caught a 12 inch perch and put in only fingerlings. Caught large Rock Bass and many BG that were big enough to eat. I see some small fish including BG and LMB on the edges but not a lot. Lots of LMB that are 6-7 inches. Lots of Large BG. I never put any FHM in just what I caught and put in. I feel the fish have grown like crazy.
So here are my worries. Once they dig the additional 1 to 1 1/2 acre of pond and cut into into the existing pond the water will drop even more. It has filled up fast in the past but I am worried about it filling enough before it freeze. Still 10-12 feet in some spots now. Will it be deep enough for the fish to survive?
My second worry is will the fish have enough forage fish to survive or will the large 14-16 inch LMB eat everything up with no cover and now a smaller area of pond? Should I take any of the fish out including the 14-16 in LMB? Should I go buy some FHM and if I do will they just eat all those up real quick? Is it still an OK time to add them?
The pond should be completed in 2-3 weeks. I did not want to add any structure until it was done but I will in a few weeks.
This past weekend I fished it for the first time for a few hours. Caught many fish including 2 14-16 inch LMB. They were no more than 6 inches when I put them in. The water is pretty clear and I see many other bass (at least 10) swimming around the same size. Caught a 12 inch perch and put in only fingerlings. Caught large Rock Bass and many BG that were big enough to eat. I see some small fish including BG and LMB on the edges but not a lot. Lots of LMB that are 6-7 inches. Lots of Large BG. I never put any FHM in just what I caught and put in. I feel the fish have grown like crazy.
So here are my worries. Once they dig the additional 1 to 1 1/2 acre of pond and cut into into the existing pond the water will drop even more. It has filled up fast in the past but I am worried about it filling enough before it freeze. Still 10-12 feet in some spots now. Will it be deep enough for the fish to survive?
My second worry is will the fish have enough forage fish to survive or will the large 14-16 inch LMB eat everything up with no cover and now a smaller area of pond? Should I take any of the fish out including the 14-16 in LMB? Should I go buy some FHM and if I do will they just eat all those up real quick? Is it still an OK time to add them?
The pond should be completed in 2-3 weeks. I did not want to add any structure until it was done but I will in a few weeks.