Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Pros/Cons of FORAGE POND (the why, not the how)?

Been reading about the how... depth/size/shape/slope etc.

Still wondering on the why?

For example, What is the advantage of raising separate and then catching and moving to larger pond to feed predators vs. just simply letting them live/spawn and be eaten in the larger pond without having to trap and move them?

I'm assuming that the forage might grow larger before being eaten if they grow in a separate pond, but I'm not biologist.

Has there been a PB article/back issue that deals with this question? I am a only a recent subscriber.

Please list any + or - you see to having a separate forage pond (given you have the space for one).

Just like the how, the why is also determined by which forage species you're considering building a forage pond for.

For most species, it is simply keeping the population sustained and, depending on the species, this won't happen in a pond with predators. While these forage fish are being utilized in your main pond, you're stocking back up, so to speak, in your forage pond. It's a revolving door of forage.

Basically the forage can not reprocuce faster than they get eaten. SO you have some reporduce in another pond and relocate them so they can be eaten.... other wise your "main" pond will have some hungry fish with not as much to eat as one might want...

It's about all growing BIG fish and pushing the carrying capacity of the pond.

Your other option is to limit the number of predators present so there is always more than enough forage available.

BMRENN...it's probably several things, but I think mostly it's about having a passion for a project and watching a project develop and produce results. The fish almost become like your babies. It's kind of like having your own personal hatchery on site, raising your own fish. George and HighFlyer really love doing it and it works out great for them.

On the other hand a pond owner can if they want purchase larger fish that won't get eaten or bigger quantities of forage and in many cases pretty much accomplish the same thing. In my mind it's sort of like a guy that has a garden in his back yard, sure he could buy all the same veggies at the grocery store, and with the time and effort spent is he really saving any money tending his garden?...probably not, but that's not really the point. If someone enjoys something, it doesn't matter, it's all about the journey and that journey can be very rewarding.

I love reading HighFlyer and George talk about their forage ponds, but I am way too lazy to be in my pond swimming around like Brian placing aerators in inner-tubes or in the mud netting fish....but hey one day it may be something I would enjoy doing. If you are interested in doing this George and HighFlyer really know the ropes and would be happy to guide you.

Thanks for all the quick responses so if I read you all correctly...

There will be predators eating the forage (and their eggs?) so fast that forage species may not have time to grow or reproduce before they are eaten (in the pond that contains predators).

That's why you grow them separate, plus the process itself is rewarding.

I will be seeking the wisdom of George and Highflyer and post plans/results in future.

What species do you plan to have in your primary pond?

BMRENN. I have extensive experience with a small � acre pond that I would categorize more as a general-purpose pond than a Forage Pond.
We dug our �forage pond� in 2004 to produce maximum forage for growing out Hybrid Striped Bass. At that time there were no producers of sub-adult HSB in our area and fingerlings were just expensive fish food for predators in our main 2-acre pond.
Our HSB �grow-out� plan was so successful that Overton Fisheries picked up on the idea, and 8-12 inch HSB are now available and much less labor intensive..

Since then the pond has been used as our favorite fishing hole, producing many near trophy size HSB and CNBG � without ANY aeration and mostly hand feeding..

I would describe a Forage Pond as a narrow rectangular pond about 5 feet deep, capable of high forage production and ease of frequent seining forage.

I have recently had the privilege of observing HighFlyer and FireIsHot �Forage/Grow-out� ponds that are producing excellent results.
They are more up-to-date on managing these type ponds and will contribute their knowledge and experience � right guys?

Good luck with your program,
George Glazener

Bmrenn,

There are going to be better minds than mine talk about forage, but I 'll be glad to through in a few ideas. First off, I am in Texas, so our water and temp swings are going to be different. When Scott and Cecil (and others) see this, they will better guide you as they are much closer to your area and will know the "Local" problems you may face better than Us Texans, but here goes.

I purpose build my forage pond like this:









It is about 50 feet wide and about 100 feet long. The deep end is flat and then it slopes towards the shallow end so my seine net is easier to use. Further, most fish farmers dig their forage ponds about 4 feet deep, but since I was not going to be there all the time, I choose to dig mine deeper. This presents me with pluses and minuses. First off, my seine net had to be taller to catch the fish when I want to transfer them to the big pond. But the benefit is I have more water available during the drought especially when I am not at the farm for a little while. Second problem I had, no electricity, I solved that with a small solar setup. I use the power right now for an aeration solution that has worked very well for me. As the season goes on and I remove most of the forage, I'll use the power differently ( I have a plan).




Now dirt issues, most guys hate seining because they have to slog through the mud. I have very sandy soils and was able to use that sand to firm up my clay which make it very easy to walk the seine down the shore. Walking on the shores of Georgetopia is like walking on a beach near the shoreline where the sand is firm.

Water input will also be something you will want to think about. I build Georgetopia right next to the big pond, so transferring water to Georgetopia is very easy (done twice so far this summer).

My reasons for building Georgetopia are varied, but here are a few of the top reasons:
1. To see if I could do it.
2. I wanted to improve my genetics and a forage pond allows for better control.
3. I enjoy learning, it keeps me young.
4. So I could understand some of the things George was talking about.
5. Just because.

And the most important reason; to name it after George. He and his generation are the greatest.

So in short, there are a lot of reason to build one, figure out if it will help you or just take up your time. I know that it is one of the best things I have done for the health of our big pond, and I would do it again. It works for me.

There are several very good Pond Boss articles on both separate forage ponds and raising fish in the big pond with blocking nets (pond within a pond). Look in the archives in Bill Codys' tables of content. I wrote one on blocking nets and Bob wrote one on forage ponds.

See Jan/Feb. 2007 for Blocking nets
Nov/Dec 2005 for forage ponds (I think)

Planning on YP to be controlled by overstocked WE and harvest for table. I read YP threads from about 9:00pm - 12:30am last night doing my research before I responded.

I think that means I want several types of forage, but may begin the forage pond by hand-sorting a couple hundred FHM and hope they turn into a couple thousand before adding them to main pond.

Brian - I love what you've done with Georgetopia and I'll be calling soon.

I'll look into those articles also.

Thanks George!

I mainly use my forage ponds to grow minnows. I find this a lot cheaper than buying them and I never run out.
Last minnow hole built