Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Smallmouths managing largemouths?

I’ve posted a couple times now. My scenario is two one acre ponds that were over run with lmb. I removed large numbers. Some remain. I have cc and bluegills that I introduced. From a previous thread you’ll see I also introduced some adult smb. Nothing major at this point. Only a dozen in the 8-12” range. I understand bluegills are not the best forage for the smallmouths because of their shape. This got me to thinking that juvenile lmb would be far more suitable as a forage shape. which bring me to the next question - will smallmouths consume enough young lmb to eventually eradicate them provided I do my job to get rid of any that are too large to be eaten by the smallmouths ? Just a question. I’m not sure what direction I’m headed yet and am patient. I’d like to see if the smb spawn in the spring and if so is there any chance at recruitment. Time will tell. I just look at these ponds. One in particular and it sure seems more suited to smb than lmb. It’s deep and shale lined. Anyway just curious what your thoughts are. I recognize that lmb are aggressive and don’t play well with others. But also see that they are soft and squishy and would would easily fit in a smallmouth bass mouth. Just don’t know if the smallmouths are aggressive enough for the task. Look forward
To hearing from those with experience.

"will smallmouths consume enough young lmb to eventually eradicate them"..

I'm not seeing how this could work. SMB would have to catch the LMB. I see this going the other way and I think the only way to sustain SMB where LMB are present is continuous stocking of advanced SMB and even at that, the LMB will always out compete them.

I fully agree with Snipe. LMB are way too prolific each spring for numerous SMB (100/ac 6"-10") even with CC to ever be abundant enough to control LMB numbers even if you very aggressively target LMB removal by angling. During the year you can significantly reduce the LMB numbers, but each spring the LMB spawn from just a few pair will again reestablish LMB numbers.

To reduce the LMB numbers the I think the answer is ironically... more bluegill.
Harvest the bigger ones first of course. Then if the remaining LMB are outnumbered (I think 50 to one) by BG, they can't protect the nest from being raided - no more reproducing LMB.

The only fishery scenario I've read about where SMB compete with LMB is a lake that experiences major draw down every Spring, after the SMB have spawned and the LMB were on the beds. This disrupted the LMB spawn and helped managed the population. It was an unintended consequence of the dropping water levels. I suspect we could reproduce this effect by dropping water levels when LMB are bedding by reducing water levels significantly - 4-6'. However, with water such a precious commodity, would likely have to be a unique situation where the owner could afford a drop.

Well now why did you all have to tell me what I figured you’d tell me? You dream crushers 😊. Honestly I figured it probably wouldn’t work but when you have a new project it’s nice to think you can reinvent the wheel. I’m not sure lmb eradication is my goal anyway. Just thought I’d play with some ideas. I like the idea of adding some bonus smb and will see how that plays out in the coming years (recognizing they won’t recruit). Thanks for the replies gentlemen. Truly enjoying this site. Great resource.