Update. Pond is doing great. Original perch 2.5 years old are 10". Original Smallmouth are 14" to 16" and a blast to catch. Took the kids out and caught about 10 last weekend, fun on a light action rod. BG are 7-8", not sure if originals, dont catch a lot of them which is good, as I don't want them to take over. CC are 14"-17". Perch spawned good, catch lots of 2-8". Smallmouth have spawned, had 1 about 3" in minnow trap. Crawdads are doing good, catch them in my fish trap. Everything is really fat and healthy. This winter or next year, I'll start harvesting some perch and bluegill.
That’s a plump looking SMB! They are indeed, a blast to catch. Nice!
9 yr old pond, 1 ac, 15' deep. RES, YP, GS, FHM (no longer), HBG (going away), SMB, and HSB (only one seen in 5 yrs) Restocked HSB (2020) Have seen one of these. I think that's about all I should put in my little pond. Otter attack in 2023
In many ponds the first 3 years after initial stocking go well - good growth and numbers. It is when all the offspring start using up space and resources that issues develop. That is when management is most needed in the form of harvest. Many things can cause management problems like weather , overpopulation (imbalance) like small or missing year classes , unwanted water quality issues or plant growth and many more.
Thanks, the things I can do something about I will. The management part is the fun part like our other ponds I'm sure will go through cycles and this one will need more management. I'm thinking about starting to keep last years spawn BG and YP that are just big enough to eat and leave the original/bigger fish. Not always easy to tell but I have a good idea for the most part. If I continue to keep that size, should help with having bigger fish and removing some competition.
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