Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Brood Pond Perch Removal

I currently have a 1/3 acre CNBG brood pond. The problem is being able to remove enough perch to prevent DO crashes and water polution. The pond is to deep to sein. I currently remove about 1200 each season with traps. I am also rigging up a cantileavered umbrella net but not in use yet. Will install a WM aerator for next season. Any ideas on methods for quantity removal will be appreciated.

Tentmaker :

I know I don't have enough info on the pond in question to be sure I am not missing something but here goes anyway.

Called the fish roundup or drive it worked for us.

We did the following to get some of the fish out of a pond that is to deep/brushy to properly sein. Took a 50 X 4 ft sein and got it ready to go. One person on bank at waters edge with one end of net other person in water 4 ft deep with net fully extended at about 120 degree angle away from person on bank. Kind of like a corral gate being open. Then accross pond launch 3 small boats with people to hit water and boats to make noise ( long skinny poles like cane poles work well - tap on boat then stick in water to 5-6 ft and thrash then hit water) and slowly drive the fish toward other bank. When boats get to the net shut the gate (net) bring net behind boat. get boats out of the way and finish pulling sein to bank.

If you don't get enough BG then wait about an hour and repeat. I am not sure this helps your situation. Good luck . ewest

ewest's method seems practical.

There's been a lot of discussion about a DIY electroshock system, however I think the majority ruled in favor of safety vs. stupidity. I'm sure someone tried it, and oddly enough, we haven't heard back regarding success vs. failure.

I know that clove oil has a knock-out effect on fish although I do not know what quantity is needed or safe. Also, I don't think the fish float when knocked out; I think they sink to the bottom.

If you're pond is clear enough, maybe you could snorkle and net a bunch out (EDIT: if the fish were knocked out).

I don't know what your water source is like, but I believe you would want a way to flush the water out when done (EDIT: if you used the clove oil).

I can't toss a cast net anymore but, in the past, I found them to be very effective.

Good info--Thanks for the responce.

The aerator is the answer. WM aerator will be great unless too many days of cloudy, no wind, then you may be in trouble due to even more production. Is there no way to get electrical to the pond? I dont see how you have ever maintained such a high quantity without aeration. What size fish are you removing? How much do you feed?

burgermeister,

1) Way to far to run any electrical

2) Average perch size removed 1 1/2"--2"

3) Feed once per day March to May--increase to
three times per day in May--shut down feeders
in Nonember--about 1# per feeding

I think using the umbrella net, positioned near your feeder, would yield the results you're hoping to achieve. I do not have any experience with this but seem to recall someone using this method. I can't remember if they posted here or it appeared in the PB magazine.

The umbrella net works well. Position it below the feeding area several days before you plan to harvest. Feed fish in the area above the net for several days, until the fish are coming in strong. Feed, lift, net, stock. It's worked very well for a number of my clients. Much easier than seining, much less trouble than baiting and running traps consistently.