Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Feeding BG not at feeder

Long story short but watched feeder go off this morning and only noticed one BG feeding. I have noticed fewer and fewer over the last week or so. Will BG leave a feeder when on the beds?

Thanks!

Yes they will. For the most part, once temps stabilize and the males commit to the nests, the majority don't leave to feed

I have been known to throw a little over the spawning areas during this time, and some will rise to a floating pellet.

Thanks! What I figured but it was strange. First time I've had feeders out.

If you get a big weather change sometimes they will not come to feed either.

Where I hand feed daily I notice right away if the fish are off feed.

Two days ago we had floods and a huge influx of cold water with wind and 9" high waves on the pond along with cold air temperatures. Water was turbid from the runoff. I tried several places around the pond (I usually feed all the way around the 3 acre pond unless it is very windy, then I feed on the upwind side only) and there were no takers at all so I quit trying. The next day the fish were timidly feeding so I fed them about 2/3 normal amount in two separate rounds. Today, even though the water is still relatively turbid, cold and windy the fish must have gotten used to it or hungry or something. I knew right away they were at least going to partially feed because I saw wakes heading toward me as I approached the pond with the 4 wheeler. They took feed very well, though still not as aggressive as when the water was warmer.

Point is, there are environmental things that will put the fish temporarily off feed. I don't pretend to know all of them but also excessively hot water/weather will also cause them to slow down and I reduce of even stop feeding whenever the fish don't come to the feed.

That is one advantage to hand feeding. There are lots more disadvantages than advantages, but that is one advantage to hand feeding. You observe the fish behavior and their acceptance (or not) of the feed being fed. And don't waste feed or foul water by feed going uneaten.

You mean like today!! Holy smokes!! 54 degrees and 20 knot wind here today!

I know what you mean. Finally looks to be a nice day here today, but we have had a week or more of misery for early May. I think March and April got switched this year. We had a wonderful March with lots of corn planted early in ideal conditions then April rolled around when it is supposed to be spring like and it has been far colder than usual.

I even rode the motorcycles a bunch locally in March but have not been on them for close to a month now because of cold and wet. Weird year. But aren't they all!

Yep I have same thing happen. I know if it's been fairly nice out and my bigger BG are not around the feeder they are gone to bed up. Or as said above with all this rain this last week my BG have fed but very light... much lighter then normal.

RC

Same here. Last year I never saw them shut down like this, but they were smaller, being first year. Mine went from feeding frenzy, to just a handful feeding. I have cut back 60%+ on feed, and it might still be a little too much.

I'm not sure if it is the large amount of rain, turbidity, cooler temps, moved to beds, high winds, or combination of all of them. I tend to think it is more turbidity and not being able to see the food thing.

No BG showing up now at one feeder and only a couple at the other. This is a renovation project and there were not a lot of BG or LMB in the lake when I started. Once I got the feeders up and running there were just a few, then after a week or so at least 25 or so (water was very clear to begin with). Then as bedding time seemed to arrive they started thinning out went to just a few and now none. I cut both feeders down to almost nothing. Right now I see some of the 5000 BG I put in March pecking at the food.

Time will tell I guess.

Take a look around the pond and see if the Bluegills are on the beds. Mine won't leave the bedding area to swim to the feeder.

I don't know if they were on the beds, or it was the turbidity/rain, but they are back feeding and water has cleared back to 18".

I bet on beds. Mine cycle on and off all the time from the feeder. The little ones are there all the time but my big boys and girls are not! I think mine are fixing to hit beds again if not already with this full moon coming round.

RC