Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations existing lake/rehab

I have an 8 acre lake, it's 22 years, old, it has these breeds of fish...bass...bluegill...black crappie...redear sunfish, some green sunfish..channel catfish.and a few grass carp
..2 years ago, I took out, 400 small bass, I used to catch some really nice Bass, but, now, not very many, I annually try and stock as many shiners as I can afford, I also live in an area, where there are numerous lakes and ponds, last year, I put in 5oo bluegill..all sizes...I have been building pvc pipe with concrete block, habitat, and dropping them in 5-6 feet of water...any suggestions of trying to raise bigger bass would be appreciated....

It sounds like there are some big tilapia farms in Missouri. Not sure where you are but look at tilapia as a great way to grow big bass and not to worry about tipping the balance too far in any one direction do the self-controlling nature of Tilapia.

Otherwise reach out to Rainman on this forum who can help you with all you need to know about tilapia and can even drop some off for you.

And for those in Iowa and in other states, where historically dealing with regulations relating to tilapia is confusing and frustrating, an online business called lakeway tilapia will ship tilapia to you. They just make it clear that it is up to you to make sure they stay in your pond. I find that a refreshingly simple concept and a common sense business model.

Can't stock TP in open systems in MO.



My first suggestion is to get a consult with a real pond pro and put a shock boat in there to see what you're dealing with.

Short of that, get a relative weight chart, a ruler, and a scale, go fishing, and document three sessions. I think you'll find that you have numerous small, thin bass and rare, relatively large bluegill. I'm guessing here but also probably numerous 4" crappie.

I don't really know how to manage the species that you have. But a harvesting plan can work -- click the link in the signature to see the results of selective harvesting LMB at our place.

Had a pro come in, he suggested taking 400 bass out, I haven't caught one crappie under 10 inches, I put a lot of all sizes of bluegill in the lake all last summer, probably near 700. I also stock $300 worth of shiners every spring....just looking for some suggestions, or success stories

If you aren't already feeding, you could try that. Helps feed what bass eat.

Also, you might consider a limited number of tiger musky. They will pretty much eat whatever you have too much of, be it small bass or whatever. If they can survive your summer, could be quite useful. Also are a total blast to catch, very aggressive fish!

Did he shock it?

I would stop stocking shiners and spend that $300 on a pellet feeding program instead. More bang for your buck.

I would agree with taking out lots of LMB. We took out 90# in a year to start the rehab from our our 2.2 ac place and we continually take out 30-40# of LMB every year (everything less than 14" comes out).

Before selective harvesting program:



After:

The thing is, the presence of crappie makes things hard. I'm not sure that if you eliminate the numerous small LMB that the crappie wouldn't overpopulate and stunt. Someone more experienced with me at multispecies fisheries needs to weigh in. My pond only has LMB and BG so management is much more straightforward.

I would start targeting the Channel Catfish in there if they are over 3#. They will eat a huge amount of Bluegills.

ANY that you catch shouldn't be released, except into hot oil.

Take a look at a relative weight chart, and remove as many bass as you can that are under 100% RW, no matter how big or small they are.