Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Crappie and Bass?

OK, I posted last year, but somehow (being a new pondowner) I was completely wrong. Imagine that! What we catch in our 1 acre pond (in North Texas) is mostly 10"-14" bass (kinda skinny though). However, we do catch quite a few 8"-10" crappie, probably 2 bass to every one crappie.
No other fish have been caught out of this pond at all...no catfish or anything along those lines. This pond is a stockpond dug by my grandfather probably 60 years ago. The pond hasn't been stocked in probably 10 years, but has maintained this fishing level over the last 3 years at least. We have been releasing everything we have caught.
The questions I have are, one: is the crappie level stunting the bass growth, and two: can I introduce Channels or blue into this pond?

Thanks for your help...

Brian,

The crappie are competing with what is probably an overabundant bass population. Thus leaving the bass with little food causing them not to grow. Before I put in catfish I would strongly consider spending some money on forage and thin out the existing crowd a bit. Definetely cull out the crappie and take out some of the bass. Based on your statement of "nothing else being caught" I would evaluate the bluegill population. If you're not seeing or catching bluegill in a 1 acre pond there probably isn't enought. Buy some adult Bluegill(5-6 inch or bigger) so they can spawn. You could also buy some intermediate sized BLG, shad, redear,etc. to give your current fish a little something to eat. Since the pond is somewhat older is there any GOOD cover left for the fish? If not consider adding some to allow the young bluegill to hide and grow to a more energy effiecient size for the bass. IF/when you do add the catfish feed them on a regular basis and they should only have a minimal effect on the rest of the fish populations. Good luck.

Mike

Yes, I think adding Channels or especially Blues is only adding to the problem...Really need to cull alot of the bass and crappie and see if you can't get some sort of Blue gill base going..

Thanks Mike,
As far as cover left there is not much, one section of the pond is shallower and has large amounts of weed growth, and on the far side there is a lot of fallen timber that goes out in the water. I have never even seen a bluegill in the pond, so I am glad you brought that up. I will definitely start culling the Crappie, but which bass should I remove? The smaller slots or the ones on the high end?

Big Pond, dont you think a 40 lb. blue would cull the crappie and bass down?

Azaroc, put every crappie and all bass 12 inches and smaller in the frying pan until you bring it into balance well enough to support a forage base. During this time, if you can get them, stock some 6+ inch bluegills.

That sounds like I plan, I will definitely try and get the Bluegill in there, does anyone know how much stocking with Bluegill out there would cost? It is in Jack County, little town called Bryson, between Graham and Jacksboro.
Also who to go to for stocking?

burgermeister,

You are the MAN!! Shoot Yeah a big blue would do some serious culling, but my man here would be real disipointed with the results! He might not have anything left
Don't want to turn too many people against such a awsome fish

Of course you're right, bp. My little pet gives my 2 lb. GEORGIA GIANTS the BLUES!!

PS: Saw a picture in a Mississippi paper this weekend of a man in Louisiana, who caught the state record BLUE on rod n reel in OLD Muddy, near St. Francisville, La. 110# on a nightcrawler
(live bait-not Floating Ivory soap). The story said he saw him flair his gills, so he stuck an arm in a gill and another in his mouth, locked his hands together and brought him ashore. Probably an article/pic in a Baton Rouge paper. You might find it interesting.

Where can I find this article?? Do you have a link to it??

Also, Do you have big blues in your fishery? What size do you have, and how many?

Azaroc, contact Marshall Grain and find out when the next fish truck is coming to town. Then call the fish farmer and find out what size he may be able to bring.

Another idea, call Trent Lewis in Prosper. He posts here as Pond Medic. His mobil # is 214- 402-4297. See what he can provide and at what price.

Harold Arms in Dublin is a pretty well known fish provider but I don't know his #.

Or you might see what other pond owners are in your neighborhood and talk them out of some of their smaller breeding stock.

Your biggest problem with the fish sellers is that they are mostly dealing in small bluegills right now and that is a fancy word for lunch to your bass.

Big Pond I started a new post in Questions & Observations with a link to the 110# Blue cat.

David,
Thanks a million for those contacts. I recently got out of the Navy and moved down here. I actually live in Fort Worth, so this resource has been a Godsend.
Thanks again,