Pond Boss Forums INTRO Common Pond Q&A (archives) PB Mag Contents 2004

POND BOSS ARTICLE CONTENTS 2004. Bob Lusk takes over as editor of PB magazine.
NOTE: Letters & e-mails and Pond to Plate were moved to forefront of each issue.

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2004; Lusk's First Issue.
Key: Beaver, nutria, muskrats, fish feeding, Flagg Lake, Rotenone, Fish structure, Quail, Fertilization north, Walleye.

Ed’s Desk - McDonald out, Lusk in as Editor; the transition described

Letters & e-mails: 1. 60 ac lk, crappie & yellow bass added and no bloom – alkalinity? 2. Areas near SanAntonio for a pond? 3. 40 ac MI Lk, & problems with 24 home development. 4. 1 ac west CO pond & filamentous algae problem – CuSO4? 5. Idea for PVC STUMP fish attractor.

POND TO PLATE – Fish Wraps and pg 20, Calico Rock’s Fried Trout

MGMT THE MINI-POND – Feeding Fish – The basics described

1. NUSIANCE FURBEARERS….Gnawing at Pondside by D.VanSchaik. Tips for managing beavers, nutria and muskrats.

2. TAKING STOCK OF YOUR STOCK by B.Lusk. 33 ac Flagg Lk fishing declined with coontail problem & spotted gar. Solutions outlined.

3. FISH ERADICATION: Use of Rotenone in Pond Management by N. Latona. In-depth description for use of rotenone.

4. UNDERCOVER WORK by M. Otto. Excellent discussion of underwater structure types before pond fills.

5. QUALITY QUAIL... Managing the Unmanageable by S. Wyman. How to’s and basics for managing quail.

6. FORGET FERTILIZER FOR NORTHERN PONDS by D.Willis. Why fertilizing maybe harmful to ponds that get extended ice cover.

KNOW YOUR POND LIFE (NYPL) – Walleye.


MAR - APR 04 : Key: Wading birds, Pontoon boat, Shoreline plants, Rainbow trout, Hybrid striped bass, Docks – boathouses, Smallmouth bass, Fish Myths

Ed’s Desk – Masthead philosophy and PB forum promoted.

Letters & e-mails: 1. Outline for use of your first auto fish feeder. 2. 2 ac KY pond with milfoil, moss and duckweed. 3. TX pondowner needs help with fish and water pumping. 4. How to post messages on PB forum 5. CA pondowner advises about investigating the future water source for ponds.

POND TO PLATE – Lemon Poppy Seed Fish Fillet

MGMT MINI POND – Shoreline Plants – Basic advise for waterside plants.

1. AVIAN VISIORS FRIEND OR FAUX. In-depth discussion of wading birds, diving fishermen, swimming/diving waterfowl, Corvids (crows ravens jays), birds of prey.

2. PB READER BUILDS BOAT by B.Lusk. Innovative aluminum pontoon boat 8’x15’ deck. Serves for fishing and pond mgmt

3. TRAVELING RAINBOWS, Wintertime Fun by B.Krause. Put & Take trout stocking tips for non-trout waters.

4. HYBRID STRIPERS...A NATURAL CROSS. Benefits of HSB with tips and hints for stocking and raising.

5. ACCESSORIZE.. …RAMP UP BEFORE YOU BUILD by M.Otto. Good information, tips and numerous photos of docks and boat houses.

6. WINTER FUN by S.Wyman. Put & Take trout for some fast fishing action for the small pond during fall, winter, early spring.

7. SMALLMOUTH BASS IN POND MANAGEMENT. Part I by D.Willis. Background and the role SMB can play in ponds and small Lks.

SHORT ARTICLE. Kid Catches the Darndest Fish by D.Reed. TX youngster catches 3 lb, 6 lb and 8.5 lb LMB in late December.
KYPL - Hybrid Stripers

Several Myths of Fisheries Management – wind direction & fishing, fish feeding during rain, noise and scaring fish, electrofishing & affects on fish.


MAY - JUN 04 : Key: Attract wildlife, Pond animals, Small pond fish, Trophy LMB, Wood ducks, Pond rebuild, Gizzard shad, Electricity & water, Illinois pondweed, Southern naiad

Ed’s Desk - Editor’s preview of the authors and articles in this issue.

Letters & e-mails: 1. What affects will aftermath of forest fire have on our pond? 2. Low water visibility - Is it due to new catfish? 3. Reader promotes wood duck nesting boxes. 4. Does not harvesting catfish harm the balance?

POND TO PLATE – Crispy catfish filets and Key lime cheescake.

MGMT MINI POND - Several fish stocking ideas for small ponds.

1. ATTRACTING AND KEEPING MORE WILDLIFE On Our Property by D.VanSchaik. Things to do to provide habitat, cover and food for extra wildlife on your land, including a listing of suggested aquatic, sub-aquatic and dry land grain plants.

2. SCALY POND DWELLERS by R.Burke. Several types of turtles, frogs, salamanders and snakes discussed.

3. GIANT LARGEMOUTH BASS by B.Lusk. Basics presented for growing trophy LMBass.

4. MANAGING FOR TREE WEBFOOTS by S. Wyman. Details and info supplied for encouraging wood ducks. Includes nesting box plans.

5. RENOVATING AND CLEANING OUT A POND by M.Otto. Numerous things to know and do when rebuilding a pond.

6. STOCKING GIZZARD SHAD FOR TROPHY LARGEMOUTH BASS by K.Nutt. Benefits are explained for using gizzard shad to produce larger bass (8+ lbs) .

7. ELECTRICITY AND WATER … A SAFE MIX? By N.Smith.. An electronics professor provides tips for placing or mounting electric devices near or in the pond to reduce chance of injury.

KYPL – Illinois pondweed and southern naiad discussed briefly.


JUL - AUG 04 : Key: Wildlife disease, Stratification, Wetland mgmt, Gypsum, High fish diversity, Low water maintenance, Smallmouth bass, Biological weed control, Algae, Spiny water flea.

Ed’s Desk- Editor introduces the articles for this issue.
Letters & e-mails: 1. Reader has bullhead problems in a new pond. 2. Leaks in a small pond. 3. What size pond for g.shad and forage lbs need to produce bass wt gain is explained 4. Trout in UT pond with 100F?

POND TO PLATE – Fish-Kabobs

MGMT MINI POND – Stratification ….Layered Water.

1. WILDLIFE DISEASES AND WETLAND MANAGEMENT by D.VanSchaik. Basics covered about various common diseases of several bird and animal groups.

2. AQUATIC PLANTS … EMERGENT AND FLOATING LEAF VARIETIES by R.Burke. Basic types are covered and pros & cons are explored.

3. HOW MANY SPECIES DID YOU SAY? By B.Lusk. Norm Kopecky’s 4 ac pond is described with abt 40 species of fish.

4. MUD IN MY POND’S EYE by S.Wyman. Methods the author used to clear a muddy pond with gypsum.

5. DRY HEAT, DRY WEATHER, FIX DIRT by M.Otto. Things that can be done to improve & repair the pond when water level is low during summer.

6. STOCKING SCENARIOS FOR SMALLMOUTH BASS Part II by D.Willis. Suggestions and guidelines for success of using SMB in pond management .

KYPL - BIOLOGICAL PLANT CONTROLS - briefly discusses: aeration, fertilization, white amur, cornmeal , barley straw.

7. ALGAE –Such a Simple Plant. One page of the basic info; types and controls.
NOTE – Spiny Water Fleas. Exotic zooplanktonic invader is explored.


SEPT - OCT 04 : Key: Pond silt, Upland habitat, Tiger trout, Proper fish management, Willows, Sunfish types, Pond plant balance, Overflow pipes, spillways, Northern pike,

Ed’s Desk - Fishing almost a popular as NASCAR. Intro for articles.
Letters & e-mails: 1. Well water into pond has lots of iron. 2. Request for how-to build electro shocking boat. 3. Why not stock big fish in a new small pond?. 4. Reader asks if his fish growth is normal in new 2 ac MD pond. 5. Why moss and duckweed – maybe geese? 6. Weight calc for catch & release carp.

POND TO PLATE – Grilled Garden Herb Fish Fillets.

MGMT MINI POND - Silt Nature’s Pond Pudding. All about silt that collects in ponds.

1. SUMMER/FALL HABITAT EVALUATION AND MAINTENANCE by D.VanSchaik. Upland habitat described, benefits noted and which animals commonly prefer each type.

2. TAMING TIGER TROUT by J.Cheever. Explanation & requirements of and uses for tiger trout.

3. HARVEST THE BOUNTY. How to know what to take, what to leave by B.Lusk. Bob explains the how and why for properly harvesting LMB to keep the population healthy and on the proper course toward your goals.

4. THE INFERNAL WILLOW INFERNO by S.Wyman. The author describes the renovation of a pond shoreline infested with willows.

5. DIFFERENT SUNFISH LIVE DIFFERENT LIVES (NYPL) by B.Lusk. Bluegill, redear sunfish, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, pumpkinseeds, warmouth and crappie are discussed.

6. BALANCING YOUR POND’S GREEN BANK by G.Sullivan. Tolerating and managing pond plants toward a balanced healthy system is described in 3 examples.

7. MOVING EXCESS WATER by M.Otto. Pond overflow and spillway pipes are investigated and explained.

8.. NORTHERN PIKE IN POND MANAGEMENT by D.Willis. Feeding habits and pros & cons are explained for northern pike.


NOV - DEC 04: Key: Water facts, Long Island pond, Blue catfish, Fish parasites, Threadfin shad, Spillways, Deer ranching, Tree structure, Fish cover.

Ed’s Desk - Editor has a whirl-wind date with BassPro Johnny Morris and race driver Tony Stewart.
Letters & e-mails: 1. How to fix a large washout. 2. How many bgill to remove for each bass? 3. Trout raising story offered and PB forum registration. 4. Leaky pond in England 5. How to start a pond in KS. 6. Questions about raising LMB in Africa.

POND TO PLATE – Seafood Gumbo.

MGMT MINI POND – Analyzing Water. Some basic facts about water and its distribution on earth.


1. THE POND AT DRY HEAVES by M.Scotto. An Army veteran describes his small backyard pond on Long Island NY.

2. POND BOSS WORLD TOUR III by B.Lusk. Ed’s pond visits are described for Fred Bingaman, 2.7 ac, IL, Bill Boone 3 ac, TX, Scott Johnson 3.5 ac,TN, and Mark Williams 4 ac, AK.

3. BLUE CATFISH … PORTLY POND FISH? by B.Lusk Behavior, habits, requirements and availability of blue catfish; their role in pond management.

4. WHAT’S MY FISH CAUGHT? by S.Banks. (KNPL) The 5 most common types of fish parasites are shown and explained.

5. SUMMER 2004 SHAD & FISH RECRUITMENT 101. by S.Wyman. A good description of how threadfin shad can improve a LMB and bgill populations in a 10 ac TX lake.

6. A SPILLWAY IS A SPILLWAY OR IS IT? by M.Otto. Good basic information about spillways.

7. CONSIDER DEER.. ALTERNATIVE LIVESTOCK FOR SMALL LANDS by D.VanSchaik. Basics about how to get started raising deer (cervid ranching).

8. SPRUCE UP YOUR POND by D.Willis. Selection, placement, anchoring methods, and aging / duration of Christmas trees as structure for fish.

9. STRUCTURING FISH COVER. Short note. What type of cover is best for numerous types of sport fishes.

POND BOSS Magazine Index 2004
Basically just the articles were indexed. Topics of: Field notes, Pond to Plate, Food Recipes, Editorials, Customers letters, were not indexed. Occasionally a question with a detailed answer from Ask The Boss (Letters & emails) was indexed. A food recipe index may be created later.

The index will often have several listings for the same article such as: bass largemouth; Largemouth Bass; LMB; Fish LM bass harvest; bass thinning. This may eventually be helpful with some software that is able to search for key words.

Algae types & controls, Jul-Aug 04
Attract wildlife, May-Jun 04
Bass Hybrid striped -stock, raise, Mar-Apr 04
Bass SM management, Mar-Apr 04
Bass SM stocking plans, Jul-Aug 04
Bass, proper harvest, Sep-Oct 04
Beaver, Jan-Feb 04
Biological weed control, Jul-Aug 04
Birds diving, Mar-Apr 04
Birds of prey, Mar-Apr 04
Birds swimming/diving, Mar-Apr 04
Birds wading, Mar-Apr 04
Blue catfish, Nov-Dec 04
Bluegill, Sep-Oct 04
Boat – pontoon aluminum, Mar-Apr 04
Catfish blue, Nov-Dec 04
Cervid ranching, Nov-Dec 04
Coontail, Jan-Feb 04
Corvids (crows ravens jays), Mar-Apr 04
Crappie, Sep-Oct 04
Deer ranching, Nov-Dec 04
Diseases wildlife, Jul-Aug 04
Docks – boathouses, Mar-Apr 04
Ducks wood, May-Jun 04
Electricity & water, May-Jun 04
Feeding fish basics, Jan-Feb 04
Fertilization - northern, Jan-Feb 04
Fish, blue catfish Nov-Dec 04
Fish bluegill Sep-Oct 04
Fish, crappie, Sep-Oct 04
Fish cover. Nov-Dec 04
Fish diversity high, Jul-Aug 04
Fish feeding, Jan-Feb 04
Fish gar spotted Jan-Feb 04
Fish gizzard shad, May-Jun 04
Fish Myths, Mar-Apr 04
Fish myths, Mar-Apr 04
Fish parasites, Nov-Dec 04
Fish pumpkinseeds, Sep-Oct 04
Fish smallmouth bass Jul-Aug 04, Mar-Apr 04
Fish structure, Jan-Feb 04
Flagg Lake, Jan-Feb 04
Frogs, May-Jun 04
Furbearers nuisance Jan-Feb 04
Furbearers, Jan-Feb 04
Gar spotted, Jan-Feb 04
Gizzard shad, May-Jun 04
Gypsum, Jul-Aug 04
Habitat, upland mgmt, Sep-Oct 04
High fish diversity, Jul-Aug 04
Hybrid striped bass, Mar-Apr 04
Illinois pondweed, May-Jun 04
Kopecky pond, Jul-Aug 04
Long Island pond, Nov-Dec 04
Low water maintenance, Jul-Aug 04
Muskrats, Jan-Feb 04
Naiad southern, May-Jun 04
Northern pike, Sep-Oct 04
Nutria, Jan-Feb 04
Overflow pipes, Sep-Oct 04
Pike northern, Sep-Oct 04
Pipes overflow Sep-Oct 04
Plants - emergent, floating, Jul-Aug 04
Plants shoreline, Mar-Apr 04
Pond animals, May-Jun 04
Pond plant balance, Sep-Oct 04
Pond rebuild, May-Jun 04
Pond renovation, Jan-Feb 04
Pond silt, Sep-Oct 04
Pond small, stocking, May-Jun 04
Pond structure, Jan-Feb 04
Pond, Kopecky, Jul-Aug 04
Pondweed Illinois, May-Jun 04
Pontoon boat, Mar-Apr 04
Proper fish management, Sep-Oct 04
Pumpkinseeds, Sep-Oct 04
Quail, mgmt, Jan-Feb 04
Rainbow trout, Mar-Apr 04
Rotenone, Jan-Feb 04
Salamanders, May-Jun 04
Shad gizzard, May-Jun 04
Shoreline plants, Mar-Apr 04
Silt removal–pond, Sep-Oct 04
Small pond, fishes for, May-Jun 04
Smallmouth bass, Jul-Aug 04
Smallmouth bass, Mar-Apr 04
SMB stocking plans, Jul-Aug 04
Snakes, May-Jun 04
Southern naaid, May-Jun 04
Spillways, Nov-Dec 04
Spillways, Sep-Oct 04
Spiny water flea. Jul-Aug 04
Spotted gar, Jan-Feb 04
Stratification, Jul-Aug 04
Structure - Christmas trees, Nov-Dec 04
Structure pond, Jan-Feb 04
Sunfish green, Sep-Oct 04
Sunfish hybrid, Sep-Oct 04
Sunfish redear, Sep-Oct 04
Sunfish types, Sep-Oct 04
Threadfin shad, Nov-Dec 04
Tiger trout, Sep-Oct 04
Tree structure, Nov-Dec 04
Trees structure Xmas, Nov-Dec 04
Trophy LMB, May-Jun 04
Trout – put & take, Mar-Apr 04
Trout rainbow, Mar-Apr 04
Trout tiger, Sep-Oct 04
Turtles, May-Jun 04
Upland habitat, Sep-Oct 04
Wading birds, Mar-Apr 04
Walleye. Jan-Feb 04
Warmouth, Sep-Oct 04
Water & electricity, May-Jun 04
Water facts, Nov-Dec 04
Water low, maintenance, Jul-Aug 04
Water, gypsum clear, Jul-Aug 04
Waterfowl swimming/diving, Mar-Apr 04
Weeds coontail Jan-Feb 04
Weeds control biological Jul-Aug 04
Weeds - emergent floating, Jul-Aug 04
Weeds naiad, Illinois pondweed, May-Jun 04
Weeds shoreline, Mar-Apr 04
Wetland mgmt, Jul-Aug 04
Wildlife – cover, habitat, food, May-Jun 04
Wildlife diseases, Jul-Aug 04
Willows, Sep-Oct 04
Wood ducks, May-Jun 04