Fixing An Old Ponds Population Issues? - 07/22/17 02:51 PM
Hey guys. This is my first post so if I am in the wrong place just point me to the right one.
There is this property with a pond my parents are considering buying. It is approximately 1 acre in size and has a sandy layer below the surface and it's probably in the pond aswell. We fish there regularly already as we have permission from the owner if we mow it and take care of it in general. The pond is old. My neighbor said he fished there back in the 70s as a kid, and still does now. I actually caught the largest bass of my life (I have had close ones Lol) there last year on a purple culprit worm. He was maybe 6 to 7 pounds and measured at 23 inches. There are old 2 older grass carp, one is sickly and sits at the bank and it seems as if he follows you around the pond, and the other is active and won't let you near him. Now my problems began starting this year (I've fished there about 3) I have noticed less fish, we don't over fish it, and fish there a noticeable amount less now than we previously have caught. Also,the pond has sort of always been this way, but the only bluegills you catch are pretty large, and not near as often as we used to. Bass are mostly young, they (along with the bluegills) love a small popper I use on my fly rod, but not near as much as previous years. The problems I believe began with a couple snapping turtles. We caught one but I believe there is another out there, and add that to the winter with no aerator or running water and the fish decline. I want to try to catch the other turtle and then I may stock it. I am thinking getting 6 pounds of flathead minnows, some hybrid bluegills/red-ears, some Largemouth, a few channel cats, and maybe 3 grass carp. Fall is approaching and I have heard that is the time to stock it.
My questions are: Should I buy an aerator before stocking, and where should I place it? How many of each fish should I stock? Are hybrids a waste since they don't reproduce as much? Should a even add Largemouth since there are plenty of young ones and even babies swimming in small schools? Should I add grass carp considering there is little algae? Could I add crappie with an aerator or do they need more oxygen? How in the world can I get that turtle out?
I appreciate any help at all guys. I want this pond to be family friendly, but me and my dad also want to go and catch larger bass with a super poppar or whatever. Basically I want it 65% family oriented and 35% trophy oriented. Thanks guys!
Edit: I forgot to mention a couple things. wWe added about 15 rock bass a year and a half ago, haven't caught a single one or even seen one. There are catfish in the pond but we've only caught 2 total and they were larger. That, big old largemouth, I believe I caught him again, same spot (about 8 feet from the bank),same lure, but he seemed like he wasn't as fat, similar length though, didn't measure him so it could be another. There is a decent population of frogs (hence my mini popper working well). And I don't want to dump too much money in it unless I know for a fact my parents will buy it, but I have no problem adding some minnows and a few fish.
There is this property with a pond my parents are considering buying. It is approximately 1 acre in size and has a sandy layer below the surface and it's probably in the pond aswell. We fish there regularly already as we have permission from the owner if we mow it and take care of it in general. The pond is old. My neighbor said he fished there back in the 70s as a kid, and still does now. I actually caught the largest bass of my life (I have had close ones Lol) there last year on a purple culprit worm. He was maybe 6 to 7 pounds and measured at 23 inches. There are old 2 older grass carp, one is sickly and sits at the bank and it seems as if he follows you around the pond, and the other is active and won't let you near him. Now my problems began starting this year (I've fished there about 3) I have noticed less fish, we don't over fish it, and fish there a noticeable amount less now than we previously have caught. Also,the pond has sort of always been this way, but the only bluegills you catch are pretty large, and not near as often as we used to. Bass are mostly young, they (along with the bluegills) love a small popper I use on my fly rod, but not near as much as previous years. The problems I believe began with a couple snapping turtles. We caught one but I believe there is another out there, and add that to the winter with no aerator or running water and the fish decline. I want to try to catch the other turtle and then I may stock it. I am thinking getting 6 pounds of flathead minnows, some hybrid bluegills/red-ears, some Largemouth, a few channel cats, and maybe 3 grass carp. Fall is approaching and I have heard that is the time to stock it.
My questions are: Should I buy an aerator before stocking, and where should I place it? How many of each fish should I stock? Are hybrids a waste since they don't reproduce as much? Should a even add Largemouth since there are plenty of young ones and even babies swimming in small schools? Should I add grass carp considering there is little algae? Could I add crappie with an aerator or do they need more oxygen? How in the world can I get that turtle out?
I appreciate any help at all guys. I want this pond to be family friendly, but me and my dad also want to go and catch larger bass with a super poppar or whatever. Basically I want it 65% family oriented and 35% trophy oriented. Thanks guys!
Edit: I forgot to mention a couple things. wWe added about 15 rock bass a year and a half ago, haven't caught a single one or even seen one. There are catfish in the pond but we've only caught 2 total and they were larger. That, big old largemouth, I believe I caught him again, same spot (about 8 feet from the bank),same lure, but he seemed like he wasn't as fat, similar length though, didn't measure him so it could be another. There is a decent population of frogs (hence my mini popper working well). And I don't want to dump too much money in it unless I know for a fact my parents will buy it, but I have no problem adding some minnows and a few fish.