Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Winter time population adjustments.

Hey guys, haven't posted in a while, but still been here. I was running through my new magazine that came yesterday, didn't have time to really get into it. But I saw a statement in one of the articles about our predators taking advantage of the cold months and really getting after the forage. I have not even fished our pond since I pulled the feeder. Is there some management I should be doing if I already know I will be pulling out as many LMB as I can that are under 12" come spring? Should I have already been doing this? Most know I have a great crop of GSF and have been trying to get my BG pop going so my LMB along with my GSF have made this a chore. Should we be working on corrections during the winter months?

Thanks guys! Hope everyone is well!

Peachgrower,

My two cents, I fish whenever I can, meaning no ice cover. I follow my management plan of culling under achieving lm no matter the season. My goal is to keep my lm population over 90%wr in all size ranges. The results for me are showing slow but steady improvements in wr for all lengths of lm.

Disclaimer, fishing is much slower in winter here in MO, so not near the number of fish are culled!

Also, I believe the lm and bg may eventually thin your heard of gsf through predation and out spawning.

Let's see what other people are doing!