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Jan 10th, 2023
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2
Fingerling
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OP
Fingerling
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2 |
I have an established pond in Northern Michigan that is seriously stressed from an overpopulation of crayfish. They have destroyed most of the vegetation and I suspect they are eating fish eggs since I've seen no small fry at all. What can I do to eliminate them?
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,948 Likes: 9
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,948 Likes: 9 |
I would start with trapping them. Go online and do a search crawfish traps.
Next, what predator species do you have in the pond? It sounds like SMB would be an excellent addition to your pond if you don't already have them.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,059 Likes: 278
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,059 Likes: 278 |
How big and how deep is the pond?
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 544
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 544 |
I know having "crabs" isn't the best problem to have, but when you have a pond it would seem a godsend. I wish I had that trouble in my pond.
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 15,154 Likes: 493
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 15,154 Likes: 493 |
Chris has mentioned the best path to take to reduce your crayfish problem. Too many crayfish is an indication that the bass population is too low. One bass sould be easily able to eat 250-400 crayfish per year if the crayfish are abundant. Trapping will also quickly reduce total numbers to where added bass will provide future control. Best size bass to stock is a minumum of 8"-10" to immediately start eating young of year and adult crayfish. Locating that size of stocker bass could be a problem for you and yo might have to do some searching. For one, Imlay City Fish Farm in Imlay City MI should have bass that size this fall.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 09/09/08 10:23 AM.
aka Pond Doctor & Dr. Perca Read Pond Boss Magazine -
America's Journal of Pond Management
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2
Fingerling
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OP
Fingerling
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2 |
About 2 acres with maximum depth of about 9'. Sounds like we should add some predator fish. Only have brookies and blue gills.
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Moderated by Bill Cody, Bruce Condello, catmandoo, Chris Steelman, Dave Davidson1, esshup, ewest, FireIsHot, Omaha, Sunil, teehjaeh57
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My First
by x101airborne - 05/05/24 07:39 AM
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