Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Feeding Getting the right blend of fish in my Pond

I just took on a old 5 acre pond. It has been lightly fished for 30 years. Fishing the pond this fall I caught LMB, crappie, bream, jackfish ( pickerel ), bullhead catfish. It also has shiners in it. If possiable I would love to make it a great Bass and Bream pond. Where do I start ?

What is considered great to you? What size is considered "great" to you?

If you want my idea of a "great" bass and bream pond, you have to remove all other types of predator fish.

Also, you have to pick one of the following: a great bass pond or a great bream pond. Its a tradeoff on depending what your goals are.

Hey Snake,

Welcome! A 5 acre pond Wow! That would be awesome congrats! Your first step get rid of as many LMB as you can under 12 to 14 inches. Get rid of every Crappie you can catch!! Bullheads too! Dang it man! To be quite honest with you if you want it right you really should start over, but I know that can be a overwhelming thought for sure. Specailly on a 5 acre pond! You got to get rid of them bullheads too I doubt you get rid of all of them or the crappie but it will be fun trying!! Not sure about the pickerel and how they infest waters? I bet that would be the last one I would worry about. Have fun and good luck. I am sure some others will chime in and get you started down the right path.

Is it a good idea to transplant 15 inch and larger Largemouth from another local pond into this one ?

I think I would rather make this one into a nice Bream pond. And by nice bream I mean 3/4 lb and larger. I have orderd a feeder and trying to remove all the other fish except the bass and bream that are currently in this pond. The current bream in this pond are fairly small 1/4 pound and less.

See these for some homework:
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=189988#Post189988

http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=273316#Post273316

Don't forget to check out bigbluegill.com

Actually to consistantly grow big BG you want smaller sizes of LMB not larger ones. Numerous BG with the larger sizes of 1/4 lb this indicates the pond has too LMB and too few smaller bass. You want lots of smaller LMB 8"-12" to keep the smaller BG (1.5"-3") heavily thinned out so remaining BG have lots of food to keep growing. Those abundant BG in your pond have too little food and slow growth due to over crowding of BG.