Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Schedules for fish removal.

I have a 2 acre pond that is spring fed and has a max depth of about 12-14 feet with average of 8-10 feet. The pond filled in late Feb and I began stocking at that time. 2000 fathead minnows, 2000 bream (70% coppernose, 30% shellcrackers) then 225 bass several months later. When the pond was being dug I saw something on the net about how many fish should be removed each year to prevent overstocking. Does anybody have a schedule like this and if so when should I start? The fish hatchery said not to take out any fish until 2 years after stocking but won't that allow a long time for potential overstocking by year 2?

I don't think there is a cookie cutter type formula for all ponds without professional analysis. At a seminar I attended, a couple of speakers said to remove all bass under 14 inches after two years.

Depends on what you are managing for. If bass, then you wnat to see tons of bluegill in all sizes. If managing for quality bluegill I would not wait 2 years to remove them and remove very few bass. Again if bass is your goal, I would make sure not to remove you originial sotck bass, but after you second spawn (year 3) remove the smaller less than 12 inches. ALso base numbers to remove on their health, get used to running Wr numbers on bass. Hope this helps, as Dave said no cookie cutter answer would work.

You could check out the link here too its from local research.

http://msucares.com/wildfish/fisheries/farmpond/index.html