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Jan 10th, 2023
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Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 33
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OP
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 33 |
My pond is close to 1 acre, 26 ft. deep, aerated. I stocked it in the Spring of 2016 with FHM, GSH, LCS and let them do their thing for one full year. Spring 2017, the pond is chock full of bait! March 10th I stocked 500 1-2" BG, 250 1-2" RES, 30 2-3" LMB. I had plans to add HSB but so far haven't found them close enough to pick up. Growth rate is phenomenal! BG are now ~3", LMB are~4-5"!
After reading the PB forums, my goal was to have a pond saturated with bait fish before stocking predators. In this second year, the GSH and FHM have spawned again and the water is teeming with minuscule minnow schools!
I know I'm short on predators! Can I wait until Fall to add more LMB and if so, how many and what size?
Thanks for all the information everyone! I've always dreamed of owning my own pond. It's awesome to see the fruit of my hard work!
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298 |
Now what?
Classic PB answer: It depends!
In this case, on your goals. Want a trophy panfish pond? Add LMB, for sure.
Want a trophy LMB pond? No need to add predators, you're doing great.
Last edited by anthropic; 06/19/17 08:31 PM.
7ac 2015 CNBG RES FHM 2016 TP FLMB 2017 NLMB GSH L 2018 TP & 70 HSB PK 2019 TP RBT 2020 TFS TP 25 HSB 250 F1,L,RBT -206 2021 TFS TP GSH L,-312 2022 GSH TP CR TFS RBT -234, 2023 BG TP TFS NLMB, -160
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Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 33
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OP
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 33 |
My goal is for a trophy LMB pond but with som decent size BG for the grandchildren. My thoughts were that I am on track to have a stunted population of BG. According to what you're saying then, I'm fine with the status quo for now!
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,499 Likes: 266
Moderator Hall of Fame 2014  Lunker
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Moderator Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,499 Likes: 266 |
Watch for a year to see if the LMB spawn. During that time collect info on fish populations and growth. At your location the LMB may not spawn until yr 2.
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,318 Likes: 6
Ambassador Lunker
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Ambassador Lunker
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,318 Likes: 6 |
I know I'm short on predators! Can I wait until Fall to add more LMB and if so, how many and what size?
Thanks for all the information everyone! I've always dreamed of owning my own pond. It's awesome to see the fruit of my hard work!
NO!!!! Do not add more LMB. Even if they don't spawn right away your pond like mine 1 acre can only hold about 75 pounds of predator fish maybe a 100 tops!! So with 30 bass in their right now your talking an average of 2.5 to 3 pounds. And if they do spawn like Eric says oh boy then you will end up having to many cause they don't ever all get ate! Now like myself this year I am trying my best to pull out 12 inch LMB because my RW's are a bit low. You have done just right in your stocking plan DON'T mess it up now!!!  RC
Last edited by RC51; 06/22/17 07:47 AM.
The only difference between a rut and a Grave is the depth. So get up get out of that rut and get moving!! Time to work!!
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,499 Likes: 266
Moderator Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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Moderator Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,499 Likes: 266 |
If in collecting info you get to this fall (mid-Oct) and you have no 8-10 inch LMB (10-12 inch LMB in March/April are needed for possible spawning)then you will need to adjust. My guess is you will need a few adult LMB 12 inches next spring to achieve balance. I would not add any small LMB (2-4 inch) this year.
Last edited by ewest; 06/22/17 10:30 AM.
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Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 33
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OP
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 33 |
Awesome! Thank you for the guidance! Monitoring is underway!
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