Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations BG ID?

ewest,

I stocked CNBG (at least that was what the fish truck guy told me) in my pond this summer. What signs should I look for in my CNBG that would be an indicater they failed to adapt to Kentucky weather? Would I have a fish kill or some thing more along the lines of stuned fish or slow weight gain?

Donnie

Bump for ewest....

Sorry I missed this.

Tell us the situation of your pond. Things like nature of your water and sources , elevation, how far north in Ky, what else is in the pond , how many fish , size and when etc. Feeding or not. Ice over or not and how long and any aeration. If you have a water temp profile that would be great.

There is limited info on CNBG in northern ponds. There is more on Fla LMB in northern ponds. Depending on your facts you are close to the northern limit for CNBG.

The limited info on the subject shows slower growth and sub-quality condition and in some cases death the farther north the location. In some cases the fish lived and grew they just did not reach their genetic potential and did worse than their northern cousins.

Tells us the facts about the situation and what you are seeing and if you have pics of them post them. Do you know where the fish came from?

ewst,

I live in the central part of KY about 1 hour from the Tenn state line. From what I know about bass fishing I know I am to far north for the FL strain of LMB. The pond is roughly 1 acre of surface water, it is a tri angle shaped damed up ravine. I stocked 50 LMB from lakes and a neighbors pond, 50 CC, some native BG (about 50)from local lakes and 250 CNBG I bought from a fish truck. The fish truck is a local operation here in KY, I don't remember the name. I am sure they grow their own fish but I am not 100% certain.

I do have alot fry right now. Is this indicative of CNBG? I find it odd that I would have fry this time of year, I am sure they not make it through the winter, but who knows. From what I can tell they look like CNBG but I have not examined them in my hand yet, only from the bank.

Water is from runoff of about 15 acres and a small spring in the pond (I wish I covered). I had been feeding the CC dog food and bread, but I plan on switching in floating food and a feeder this summer. The BG would eat some of the smaller floating dog food.

I dont have any pictures of the CNBG yet nor a water temp profile but I will try to get those in the near future. As far as winter temps, I am sure we will get some hard water this winter, but it usualy doesn't last more than a few days at a time.

Sorry for the long post and I appriciate any help you could give me.

This is a picture from the dam looking at the back of the pond.

How old and big are the CNBG ? If you can catch one post a pic. It looks like you are at elevation which may have an effect. We may all learn form your efforts what the answer is.

I am not sure of the age but they were 2-3 inches in May when I bought them. Right now they are probally about 3-4 inches, but since my pond is new I have little alge bloom thus they had little forage this spring.

I will put the trap in the water tomorrow and see what I get. Usually all I catch is 1 inchers from this spring. Would they be big enough to identify them as a CNBG?

I am willing to figure this out for all of us.LOL

Yes get several pics of the small fish and post them. Look for the ones with orangeish fins and/or tails or light fin/tail edges. Take a variety of pics so we can compare to see if you have both CNBG and BG.

I managed to catch one today. It was a one incher from this years hatch. This one looks exactly like the ones I bought from the fish truck (CNBG). Sorry if one is out of focus, it was so small the auto focus would not adjust.

Compare your fish to this pic of a small BG not CNBG and tell us what you think. Your fish is older than this one which is about 65-70 days.

Honestly they look the same to me. Maybe someone can chime in on this one. LOL

Donnie

That's a nice redear sunfish, and it's a lot bigger than one inch. It's double that. (referring to DonJovi's picture).

Look at the shape of the face on this fish compared to DonJovi's.



DonJovi, your fish has a damaged eartab, like a lot of the ones on my farm. Did you get a picture of his other side?

No RES were stocked. :p and mine is not a RES.

At least one was stocked. Look at the compressed face on this bluegill picture compared to DonJovi's. Somebody made a boo-boo in the stocking process.

ewest, what is the fish in your photo (on the man's leg with the measuring tape), and do you mean that none were stocked in your pond, or DonJovi's?

Sunil :

None were stocked in DonJovi's.

ewest, I know you're very precise, so I just wanted to confirm - that's a straight bluegill in your post (w/ the measuring tape)?

Just FYI, none of the bluegill from my pond really ever seem to look like anyone elses, and truly, I don't pay that much attention.

But because the days at my pond are running out for the season, I tend to think about all the things I want to do next year, and I've been meaning to fish specifically for bluegill for a few hours just to see how they're doing.

Maybe Cody can chime in on this one, but I think I know what he'll say.

I'm just guessing, but I think it will be something to the effect that the eartab is messed up in some way and that it's hard to be certain from the picture.

It's just my opinion, but I've been looking at bluegill and redears that size for the last five hours at my farm, and DonJovi's fish bears a strong resemblance to a redear sunfish. Maybe it's just late and I'm delirious.

OK guys here are 2 juv. BG (regular) Positive ID by Wisc Fish. Mine is a regular BG.

Yeah, you're probably right. Must be a bluegill. My bad. At least I'm right about the two-inch thing, right?

"At least I'm right about the two-inch thing, right?"

Man! I'm just going to leave that one alone.

BTW, nice life guys!

I mean really....surfing the net on a Friday night.

Try getting out sometime.

I'd try to get out, but nobody likes me.

It's so hard to get a good lepomis ID discussion going anymore.

Bruce I don't know if I am right or not. The more I look the more confusing it gets.

Here is Lyons comment about juv BG "Juveniles are similar to adults but often less darkly pigmented and slightly more elongated."

Sunil I was out this afternoon in a shock boat looking at the mess in one of the unmanaged ponds. WC , LMB , CC , BG , GSF , GShiners, Warmouth , various minnows and who knows what else. After looking at all those fish the ones above could be a Flounder.

You gotta admit, though, that RES picture I posted is a beauty!! I love the way those fish look when they get bigger. He looks really angry about something.