Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Evaluating population?

Even though my pond is covered with ice I want to ask a noobie qustion...

How do you evaluate a population? My pond is 1/4 acre, 16' deep in tje middle
I stocked FHM, Redear, and LMB last spring. We saw minnows in the summer and some larger fish...assuming LMB. But in reality I have no idea what is still alive. How do I make an informed judgment?

The easiest method would probably be just fishing it and keeping meticulous records of what you catch, to include length and weight. That will give you a decent look at what's still living in the pond and how it's doing. Do relative weight calculations (you can find calculators in the archives on the forum) and you'll get an idea of how well your fish are thriving.

Other, more involved, methods include trapping, seining, and electrofishing. Realistically, though, I think a fishing survey is one of the simplest and cheapest ways for small pond owners to assess how they doing and it also provides a great way to spend some good family time at your own little slice of Heaven!