Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Advice on culling to achieve GS growth

Hi Folks, new member here. I've read lots of great info here!

The subject is a small dugout (probable former agricultural pond) which is on the side of an interstate road. High nutrient, presumably low oxygen. It receives quite a bit of runoff as well. Species are Golden Shiners, Brown Bullhead and a few Bluegill. Dimensions are conservatively 75x20x4. It's quite stagnant and has abundant but not overwhelming algea and milfoil.

A typical generic minnow trap set at the pond for 6 hours will net 40-80 fish. In a typical trap >5% of the shiners are 3" and >1% over 3.5" - most are in the 2.5" range. Bluegill comprise >5% of the total catch and I've never had one bigger than a half dollar. Many of the Bullhad are 7"+ and always plump with shiners.

I'd like to achieve much bigger growth. By commercial bait standards everything is small and medium small. I'd like medium heavy and large.

I have no idea how many fish there are and how many fish to take out or if its even be possible to grow bigger fish in this particular pond.

Any questions please ask. I appreciate everyone's input.