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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1 |
Hey Guys, I am working on a ranch in the Texas Hill Country and need some advice....We have just created an 18 acre lake and I am designing the structure for the lake. I need some suggestions on what we can put in there for good fish habitats and spawning areas. How long should we wait to stock the lake? What is some good aquatic vegitation to put in the lake for a food and cover source? Please help I can use all the advice I can get!!!!!!
Thanks, Sara
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,934 Likes: 2
Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,934 Likes: 2 |
Hey, Sara... We have just created an 18 acre lake oooo, I feel the "pond envy" pot startin to bubble. I'm just a "rook" here, so I'll kick back with the remote and let the pro's run the show. I just wanted to say "hey and welcome". (now, lemme see...what button is PBTV?)
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,058 Likes: 278
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,058 Likes: 278 |
Welcome Sara, like Brettski, I just turned green. I'm not a pro, but that's never stopped me.
The first step would be to do some thinking about some detailed goals for the pond/lake. If you don't know where you're going, almost any road will take you there. But, you might not like the destination. An 18 acre Hill Country lake ought to be done right.
The general rule of thumb is that structure should be placed no deeper than 10 ft. However, consider that Texas water holes can vary in depth according to rain.
The biggest consideration is the shape and depth of the impoundment. Have you done any contouring? If not, is it too late? The old saying is that 90% of the fish will always live in 10% of the water. However, I think that can be vastly improved; depending on construction of fish highways and natural attractants. Humps, ridges, dropoffs, dozed out ditches, rock piles etc. will draw and hold fish. Shallow brush piles are needed for small fish to hide and grow. Bass like fluffy stuff to orient on.
Be very careful of vegetation. This stuff can get invasive. I would look for a pro, in your area. Ask for references and go look over their work.
Stocking can be done when you have dependable water depth and water quality. What you stock will be dependent on your goals.
Who you use to stock it can also be important. There are some really good Pro's to check with. However, like all professions, there are some shady characters to stay away from. If you do some research here, you will run into some good ones. Ask some of the guys here about their experience with certain "pro's".
Bob Lusk, Harrel Arms, Todd Overton, Trent Lewis, Kenneth Henneke and Malcolm Johnson all have good reputations. All of these guys can do the whole thing for you. Be very careful.
My normal advice is to subscribe to Pond Boss mag. That will be the least expensive and most rewarding step in the process. Take a look at the advertisers. Lusk doesn't accept advertising dollars from scam artists. The best book I have found is "Raising Trophy Bass" by Lusk. I've bought three of them, loaned them out and not gotten them back. Take a look for back issues listed in the Mag that interest you and order them. You can get a quicker education there than anyplace I know of.
Oh yeah, keep your checkbook handy.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,934 Likes: 2
Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,934 Likes: 2 |
....dang, Ewest. I gotta add this page to my favorites...good show...thx!
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 13,982 Likes: 280
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 13,982 Likes: 280 |
If Eric had three or four more links up there, this would be the only post anyone would ever have to refer to, for any question!
"Live like you'll die tomorrow, but manage your grass like you'll live forever." -S. M. Stirling
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,507 Likes: 269
Moderator Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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Moderator Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,507 Likes: 269 |
Guys feel free to add to the post. There are a lot of good stct./cover posts archived on the forum. These are just a few very good ones with lots of links and pics.
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 336
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 336 |
I really liked the "Sputnik" structure ideas, with bowling balls and PVC.
Shawn
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