3/4 acre pond, YP in southern Indiana - 11/28/15 02:51 AM
Hi expert guys/gals. Ive been a long time lurker. My pops and I have spent many nights talking about building a YP pond in our neck of the woods. We know we are a little south for them to thrive. We keep a boat on Lake Erie and spend way too much time up there. We fish for Jumbo YP and the trophy WE that Erie is know for. The problem is, it's 5 hours from house (we still go every weekend during open water). And once it gets cold the boat is dry docked and we just talk about next season. We thought a small poud locally that could grow YP would be a good pastime during the winter.
Dad retired last year and bought seven acres in the middle of town. Him and mom are building a house in one corner and they are going to build a 3/4-1 acre pond. Its going to be a nice view off their deck. We just want something to fish in the winter, when we can't get to Erie, to have fun with. "Big" perch is the goal. But it won't be managed intensively. They are both retired and spend most of their time on their 42 foot Trawler. Pellet fed is not going to work as dad wants "natural" ecosystem that is self sustaining. We are both fine with smaller perch than being fed. So what would you guys recommend stocking?
We are going to dig it in the spring. Looking to be 3/4 acre and we are going to aerate from spring to fall during night. Planning on a rectangular pond of 160x210. Deep water will be 16 ft (for the diving board off the deck for the grandkids). We love tinkering in the wood shop and we both love building cover for the crappie in local area's. Structure will be fine. We are the most excited to build structure. We plan on adding multiple (5-8) fish cribs for spawning and protection.
What would you guys recommend for fish? We were thinking to put 3#FHM, 2#GSH in when pond is full in spring (2017). Then in fall add 30-40 3-5" YP.
I am worried about stunted and small YP at this point and I know we should add a predator. I do not care for LMB at all. The pond is going to be well aerated so we are thinking 10-12 WE and 10-12 HSB. That should help take care of the over abundance of YP.
Do you guys think this plan will work as far south as we are? Thanks so much and this site is amazing!!!
Dad retired last year and bought seven acres in the middle of town. Him and mom are building a house in one corner and they are going to build a 3/4-1 acre pond. Its going to be a nice view off their deck. We just want something to fish in the winter, when we can't get to Erie, to have fun with. "Big" perch is the goal. But it won't be managed intensively. They are both retired and spend most of their time on their 42 foot Trawler. Pellet fed is not going to work as dad wants "natural" ecosystem that is self sustaining. We are both fine with smaller perch than being fed. So what would you guys recommend stocking?
We are going to dig it in the spring. Looking to be 3/4 acre and we are going to aerate from spring to fall during night. Planning on a rectangular pond of 160x210. Deep water will be 16 ft (for the diving board off the deck for the grandkids). We love tinkering in the wood shop and we both love building cover for the crappie in local area's. Structure will be fine. We are the most excited to build structure. We plan on adding multiple (5-8) fish cribs for spawning and protection.
What would you guys recommend for fish? We were thinking to put 3#FHM, 2#GSH in when pond is full in spring (2017). Then in fall add 30-40 3-5" YP.
I am worried about stunted and small YP at this point and I know we should add a predator. I do not care for LMB at all. The pond is going to be well aerated so we are thinking 10-12 WE and 10-12 HSB. That should help take care of the over abundance of YP.
Do you guys think this plan will work as far south as we are? Thanks so much and this site is amazing!!!