Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations LMB Spawning and BG Feeding

Since this is my first year with 85 new 1/2 to 3lb LMB in the pond, I would like to see some LMB spawning success. Is it a good, common sense approach to (almost) over-feed my large BG population so that they will leave the LMB nests alone? Also, do CC go after LMB eggs and would (over) feeding the CC too ease the pressure on the LMB spawning process? I know you guys have pro and con ideas about feeding at all, but if I stopped now, I feel I would get a stunted BG population that would be short-lived as the LMB population increases over the next 2 ~ 3 years.

D-C, I'm guessing here, but I would think that you wouldn't want all (or even a great percentage) of the new LMB frye to survive only because you might then have an instant overcrowding issue.

I would also guess to agree with you that if you kept your Bluegill well feed, that they might not eat as many LMB frye. However, I'm not sure there's an accurate formula to know when you're feeding too much vs. not enough to prevent LMB frye predation.

No matter what, I would think you would get some LMB recruitment provided that they do indeed spawn.

I agree with Sunil. You don't want but a small fraction of the LMB yoy to survive. Normal feeding levels are best. The BG will eat some LMB and BG yoy no matter what you feed.

Sounds like good advice. I'll just feed "normal" and see what things look like through the Fall. You guys are right though. I wasn't thinking about the over-crowding of LMB with too many survivors. Thanks!