I have been adding a lot of structure to the pond in hopes of providing refuge for smaller fish.

I have resisted stocking any small fish knowing that there are some large predatory voracious eating machines living in the pond. I caught one of them ice fishing yesterday.

9.1 lb NP

This fish was full of eggs and the stomach contents were Yellow Perch and Fatheads.

Since removal of every NP is an illusive goal, I am using resistance (angling and removal) and coexistence (NP with other species) as a management course.

I am not sure if the NP are reproducing in the pond as only large fish are ever seen or caught.

Any suggestions on NP control are welcome!

Nice fish, Dwight. I have no problems with bony fish so I really enjoy catching and eating northerns. If they're not reproducing you should eventually reduce their numbers through angling. Have you thought about specifically targeting them during the winter? Sounds like a small YP used as bait might be pretty effective. How did they get in the pond?

Dwight's pond used to be connected to that river that runs adjacent to his water.

Dwight, I was never quite sure if I understood....did that photo of the pike eating a pike on "the bad day" thread come from your pond?

Bruce Condello - I agree they are fun to catch and good to eat. I just don’t like them eating everything in sight in the pond.

I plan to target them during March and later with quick strike rigs and 6 inch chubs through the ice. Once the ice is out I am going to target them in the North Bay as that is where the warmer water will be and that is where they should be hanging out.


Sunil - You are correct about the river connection during pond construction. That is how the Northerns found a home in the Pond.

Thankfully, that photo was not taken on my pond!