Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose Stocking WE in small pond fishery

Had some friends transfer some dink WE into the pond 18 mos ago around 13-14". Never thought I'd see them again, but friend mentioned he caught one last spring, and was around 18" and pretty healthy. Lacking photo evidence left me a little skeptical, but I was hopeful.

Imagine my surprise last night when I stuck this pig on a lightning jig while crappie fishing!





Fish was right at 21", estimate just under 4# - WR was surprisingly high. I was impressed by the fast growth and the significant girth. This fish is obviously utilizing my GSH, BG and maybe even crayfish very well.

I stocked 100 8" WE Nov 2011. Will hopefully see these fish at the 15" mark Spring 2013 - maybe larger - but it's hard to predict their performance. I have a very robust BG and GSH population - so if the WE are utilizing them as their primary forage base, I think I have reason for optimism! I have a unique fishery - both predator and forage heavy...not sure how long it will last, but will enjoy it while it does. No matter how many YP, HSB, SMB, HC or WE I stock they all seem to continue to grow and maintain great WR.

Thanks to my Pond Boss family for the guidance - never thought a 3 acre NE pond would yield a fish like this!

That is just awesome. I wish I could source a few of these as well. I would like to stock 3-7 in my little pond just to see what would happen. But they would probably have to be at least 10 inches to avoid being attacked.

That's awesome TJ.

Next, you're going to tell us they pulled off a spawn.

Dude, that WE is a hog!!! I'd love to know what was in its belly making it so fat! I am betting she is loving all those GSH. Awesome... May very well be the biggest less than 5 acre pond caught WE I have ever seen!

Thanks Travis and Josh...my buddy and I were celebrating pretty loud for quite some time - imagine our neighbors from 1/2 mile away heard the ruckus and considered calling the Sheriff. Was the last fish I was expecting to see - might as well have been a barracuda. I think you're right, the GSH are probably responsible for that girth, wish it were the BG. If I could ever get a fish to utilize tadpoles as forage I'd probably beat the world record. I stuck around well after dark last night and estimated at least 2500 BF tadpoles under my Bojo and green monster. Unbelievable!

No doubt a female. Males will not grow that fast. The fish may have been reabsorbing its eggs or full of forage. I vote reabsorbing eggs. Theory is, it grew 9.8mm or about 1cm/month but more likely more in some months than others. We have seen growth about that fast for female WE in some ponds with YP and larger soft rayed forage such as GS. Expect slower growth in months with water 80+F and less than 50F. WE typically feed heavy after spawn which is now, and probably why you caught it at this time of year.

She looks like she's full of eggs.

That was my thought as well.

If a WE cannot find a preferred habitat for spawning, would they rather reabsorb their eggs than just laying them in a poor location?

CB1 & I think a lack of spawning males may affect egg drop in YP and WE. The ususual spring weather may have interrupted egg drop of cool water spawners.

TJ, anymore details on the catch? Water temp, depth, near structure?

My buddy was using a minnow/slip combo to target SMB, YP and HC and he caught several including a few nice 12-13" HC. I was tossing a 1/8 oz silver/blue lightning jig working slowly at 4' in 10' water. Hit like a YP, but knew when it was taking drag it had to be something else. My ponds are purposely devoid of structure on the main lake with exception of PVC globes in deep water intended to attract YP under ice - but I was fishing on a break from 10-16' water which is where a lot of larger fish seem to hunt. I haven't taken any temp readings this Spring as my floating thermometers have disappeared, but my WAG lower 60s.

You're all probably right on target, but I'm hoping she was full of 3-4" BG instead!

That fish is remarkable! I'm impressed and jealous at the same time!

She's a female full of eggs TJ. I see them all the time this time of year or earlier from Lake Erie or some of the local natural lakes and reservoirs.

Even well fed walleye don't fill out like that ventrally.

VERY nice! Well done sir!

Hey, I take zero credit...this is a forum fish. Thank you, forum.

Cecil, I agree...she was full of BG and those BH that got loose in my pond. That's a relief...she probably eradicated the BH population entirely! I'll sleep easier tonight.

I think I'll try that. I bet those RES we caught tonight were swollen from eating FA and Pondweed. Hey it works, I'm feeling sleepy already! Thanks TJ!

All kidding aside, that really was a nice fish....

TJ Two words my friend....Awesome Awesome Awesome.....O.K. then three words. You have given me a serious case of pond envy. Cant wait to see it some day.

Will do everything I can to help you get there amigo! When are you headed up this way again?

Be goin through the last week of August for sure and then again bout the second week of Sept. But after things slow a bit at work I can come up about anytime. Does your guy still have some yp?

Rob had a huge spawn this year, last we spoke he asked if I could help him move 10,000 2-3.5" YP! I ordered 400...so, just a little short. Come up anytime, you are always welcome. Maybe we can get the planer boards on the bellyboats and troll for WE!

Pretty cool TJ.

TJ, that is freaking outstanding!!! I am truly impressed, and inspired.

That is promising! I hope my little pond can produce a fatty like that. WE are my intended top predator next year or so until I fish them out. Then I will try something else. Just shying away from bass as I am a casual fisher and cannot spend the time maintaining a balance.