Minnows will be eaten mostly by the bass. BG eat basically minnows 3/4" long and smaller. Largest BG (9"+) may occassionally eat 1" minnows. Minnows 1" and larger swim too fast for BG to regularly prey on them. BG as feeders are basically "cherry pickers".
I would build the forage pond shaped like a paint roller pan. Slightly deeper at one end. This will give you the most management options. This way it can be partially drained and concentrate the minnows/shiners into one smaller area for periodic seining. Partial draining to low pool during winter has numerous benefits. See below. Get yourself a used trash pump if you do not want a drain pipe.
A deep end depth of 5-6ft should be plenty deep enough in OK to allow for sedimentation and muck accumulation. If you compeltely drain the pond every 2-4 yrs, let the bottom dry out, lots of organics will decompose over winter thus the accumulations on the bottom will be less over time. This will keep pond in better shape also help reduce weed growths. Periodic complete draining and restocking minnows will be the best management plan for the forage pond. Undrained ponds dedicated to forage fish over time tend to become laden with fish parasites; primarily black spot and white/yellowgrubs. Periodic draining and restocking "cleans up" the forage fishery.
Size of pond will be determined by how many fish you want to raise. Typically a fertilized and well maintained pond can grow 1000-2000 lbs per acre. Expect to grow 60-100 maybe ideally up to 150lbs of minnows in a 0.1ac pond. Consider getting a windmill aerator (new/used) to mix and better manage this pond.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 12/12/09 12:23 PM.
