Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations How many BG, is to many?

I have been watching my pond closely this spring for bluegill and bass. Last fall I lost fish to a cold October Iowa rain. I have caught a few bass this spring maybe 12 bass. My pond is 2.5 acres and I see gobs of bluegill from 1/2" to 4" in length and a few on the 6-7" range. It has been stocked for 2 yrs this Sept with the BG and 2 yrs with the Bass in June 2006. I'm worried I might not have enough preditors. Is there a rule of thumb way to tell from the shore?

Thanks, FH

Fishhead,

You didn't say anything about actually catching the BG's. You need to go BG fishing and catch a bunch. I think your answers will come to you while fishing for them!

If they seem very hungry and bite endlessly, that is a good sign they are overpopulated. Also look at the condition of the BG's. If they're slim and light for their length, overpopulation is likely.

You DID say you caught quite a few bass, so your situation must not too bad, if indeed there's a problem at all.

best way to monitor bluegill is by monitoring bass. If skinny then you do not have too many. If you have few bass very very healthy or high realtive weight (search this) then you could have too many bluegill if your goal is for trophy bluegill. If goal is good bass growth then about impossible to have too many bluegill since bass will control them and they are forage anyway.

We have been fishing the BG and they are very healthy, as are the Bass. But, they are hitting the bare jighead after the small tubetail has been pulled off, very aggressive. IMHO I think they are about to get out of control based on the fact I have been targeting the bass at times and not caught them. I know I'm not the fisherman I once was but it's kinda like riding a bike.

Bluegill is my target fish for the pond as they are my favorite to eat. I caught several last weekend with the majority being the first off spring of the originals (My guess). And maybe 8 of the original and keeping them in a wire basket for eating later this week. I have been throwing the smaller ones back but believe I have a place to transfer them if you guys think I'm crazy for throwing them back, I actually know better. So let me have it, Ouch! I don't want to throw them on the bank for fear the Raccoons will become a problem, and right now one is a problem.

I want the bass for the sport fishing and Bluegill check. I believe I might be able to trade a neighbor some Bass for BG as they have an abundance of Bass and Crappie but no forage for them. I'm wondering if a doz would be to many. They would be easier to control by hook and line if the BG start to dissappear.

Thanks Guys, we'll get through this.

Fishhead

Fishhead - If you saw dead bass last fall and now are seeing "gobs" of bgill then I would add some bass in a trade from the neighbor's pond. Do this esp if you want to harvest 8" bgill for table use on a regular basis. To grow higher numbers of 7"+ bgill you need to be small (7"-12") "bass heavy". I think you can afford to offer your neighbor 3 or 5 bgill (3"-5") for every bass you get. For a few years yet protect your largest bgill (6"-7") and thin 3"-4"ers. Once your bgill get to 9" protect those 9" and larger and harvest those in 7.7"-8.7" range. Harvest mostly only 9"ers that are "hooked deep" or bleeding.

Hey that's great information Bill, Thanks! When you say heavy on the 7-12" Bass, What's the best way to monitor this? Is there a ratio I might follow?

I think it will be next year, or the year after before my bass spawn. I did not see any bass nests this year and the Algea was starting to get a hold about the time they were nesting on a pond I see every day at work. Although I know mother nature has her ways. I did use a rake to remove plants and algea from the shallow areas closest to the house where I could do some fishing. The BG immediatly moved in and started constructing nests, I mean the next day they were at it. Of the 75 foot of edge I raked there is probably an estimated 50-75 nests. Some of the vegatation and algea have come back to cover about 30% of what I had cleared, but the gills are keeping it open. Will they nest through out the summer in different stages of different age fish? I'm afraid to rake it again for fear of destroying nests, + I've since added a small section of dock to fish from. Sorry for the story book. Thanks for the comments every one!

FH

"Heavy" on the 7" to 12" bass is indicative of being able to easily catch bass in that size range. When I bobber worm fish a pond for bgill that has a strong population of smaller bass I can catch one bass for every 18-20 bgill. In a great pond with dandy bgill that I fished this week I caught one small bass for every 5 bgill. Bass ranged from 7" to 11" and were not skinny or real fat. They had average to slightly thin bellies.

Great, thanks again Bill! I'm going to try to work on the fish exchange Friday. The bass in the neighbors pond seemed to be healthy but it was two years ago when I last fished it. If the bass show any signs of being under nourished would it be a bad idea to drop them in my pond? There are several alternatives to getting a few LMB, even a few SMB for preditors around me but the neighbors pond is 1/4 mi away so would be easy. I just don't want to spin my wheels any longer. Also, while on the "My pond" subject, I noticed a snapping turtle lurking around last night. If I'd had a gun he would have been floating in a couple of days. I've always whacked em when I see them but what's the opinions of others following this thread?

Thanks, Fishhead

FH, good advice on stocking bass especially considering your goals. If the bass are skinny he will gain weight in the right environment so I would not worry too much about that.