Here are some additional items for improving the quality of BG in a pond.
8. Consider adding new genetic stock that is from BG populations known to grow trophy class BG. The new individuals will enhance your exisiting gene pool.
9. In angling and harvesting BG, take a good look at each fish. You should have a measuring device ALWAYS handy when catching BG. STUDY AND DO HOMEWORK TO LEARN TO RECOGNIZE MALE AND FEMALE BG. Give all larger BG (7+") a second look. Almost always, BG at 8" will be sexually mature. Sometimes in less than optimum conditions, BG will become mature at 7" or smaller. In these cases the BG population as a whole needs more management if big BG are the goal. In trophy BG fisheries, maturation of BG especially males is usually delayed until they are about 8" long (=/- 0.5").
A. As mentioned in item 3, Determine if fish is male or female. Harvest primarily females. Just a few (8-20) mature or trophy females per acre can lay enough eggs to produce more than enough BG to repopulate a "normal annual BG harvest".
B. Look at body condition - plump, medium, or thin bodied? Harvest all thin bodied individuals. Pick and choose remaining BG. Return plump individuals as broodstock.
C. Look at general body shape - is it roundish, normal or more slender or streamlined? Release those fish with your concept of the ideal BG shape. For instance a more roundish shape, nice big dark gill flaps, good markings or color compared to others you are catching. You want to release your idea of the best BG present as your brood stock. As you take time to closely look at body shape of each BG you catch, you will gradually over time learn to see and recognize subtle differences in shape, coloration, and markings/patterns. See the following for a more detailed discussion of harveting BG:
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=273316#Post273316Here is a thread why some lakes produce larger BG and ideas about amount of BG that can be harvested in a pond is discussed.
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=431662#Post431662
