Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Dead fish in the grass

In the last week, I have found two large BG and one 19" LMB in the grass around my pond. Each fish appeared to be in good health. I could not see any flesh damage on the exterior of the fish so it appears nothing was eating them. Any idea what kind of critter could be responsible for this??

Were there any water level fluctuations (although I doubt that would cause fish to get "beached.")?

Human poachers?

Did you check for hook marks in the mouth?

Herons. They got a couple of 3# trout out of a shallow creek last summer
(trout went up this creek for cooler water). Didn't eat a bite, just killed
them and dragged them up on land. I saw one today at my pond as I went
down to feed the fish. The fish were not nearly as active as usual, and I
can't find my duck!!

Randy - thanks for posting that. Kind of like UFOs, I thought maybe I was the only one who observed this.

Over the last couple of years, I've seen herons flying with trout they've stolen from my pond -- in their beaks. Twice, I've seen rather large trout fight their way out of the beaks, only to be dropped into forest around my pond. I retrieved one of them a year or two ago, which didn't look too bad. I kept it for dinner. Other than being covered with pine needles, it was pretty much intact. There was no immediately noticeable damage or scaring on the fish.

As for your duck -- my condolences. Raccoons got most of my last batch of ducks.

"I retrieved one of them a year or two ago, which didn't look too bad.
I kept it for dinner."

I love you, Man.

Funny dude funny!!

Aw Geeze! It doesn't mean I cooked an old dead fish. It was a new dead fish!

I feel seriously bad (maybe) about hijacking this thread. Some of my less-than-stable friends and family (people who our senior legal counselor knows way too well) are coming over on Friday evening to try and get enough trout for Saturday evening smoked trout appetizers. We also hope to get enough bluegill for a good Saturday evening fish fry that can be enjoyed after devouring the smoked trout appetizers. I'll also be serving road-kill pastrami.

We plan to do this again over Memorial Day weekend.

Visitors welcome, if your have the appetite.

Ken
Exotic Local Food Appreciator

Just for clarification Ken, at what point in time do "new dead fish" become "old dead fish?"

I bet if it still has eyes he eats it.

If Ken gets to the fish before the third buzzard, it's new dead fish...

Harsh.