Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Fish survived the winter!

There have been many discussions over the past months about winter aeration, winter kills, etc. I have shared several times in these posts that I'm concerned about my overwinter capability of my pond given that I do aerate my pond all winter and my aerator is in the deepest part of my pond. I am pleased to report that my ice is almost out and I've been blessed again without a single floater. On top of that with surface temps at 40 degrees the BG started surface feeding yesterday. That's right you southern folks, 40 degrees and surface feeding. I'm excited about the fact that they have started feeding almost 3 weeks earlier than normal because of early ice melt. I hope this menas they will grow the equivalent of 3 weeks larger. When I saw the surface action I dropped a line in and caught several 1 pound fish. BTW, I hope that Dwight and some of the other guys here up north have similar stories to tell.

Those HBG are pigs.

bz's fish

Congratulations!

Hooray!!

so bz, sounds like they (the BG) were wearing bermuda shorts, hawaiian shirts, and raybans....congrats....

i have a friend who worked in rock springs (WY) and when it got to +20 degrees, it was t-shirt weather.

Wow, I can't wait for the day that I can catch a one pound BG. That photo of your fish is great. Glad your fish survived the winter without problems.

bz - That is an awesome looking specimen!

I didn't have any floaters, either, which is always great! Water temps are in high 30s here, though warming steadily.

BZ,GLAD YOUR FISH MADE IT. I JUST GOT BACK FROM WISC THIS PAST WEEKEND , OUR ICE WAS JUST STARTING TO THAW. I DIDN'T GET TO STAY LONG ENOUGH FOR THE ICE TO MELT. IT WAS ABOUT 1-2 FEET MELTED AROUND THE EDGES BUT I DIDN'T SEE ANY FLOATERS SO I AM KEEPING MY FINGERS CROSSED. I AIRATE AT ABOUT 3FEET IN THE WINTER AND THEN MOVE IT OUT TO ABOUT 6FT IN THE SUMMER.

Thanks guys. BTW that picture Ewest dug up is at least a year ago and was probably about 14 ounces. I'll have to see if I can get an ice out picture of the 1 pound plus guys right now. Remember these fish are 5 years old so no prizes for fast growth compared to the southern ponds. It does amaze me how stout those guys are after eating little or nothing all winter. There can't be much for them to eat all winter and yet they seem to maintain mass. Right now I'm reasonably happy and looking forward to some 1.25 pounds or better this spring. Won't be really excited until I see some over 2 pounds.

BZ,

My small BG pond is finally ice free. I did a quick recon the other day and all looked well. I'm going to check surface temps this morning and toss out a few pellets.

Have you noticed any scud activity?

Hope you find all the fish healthy and large. No evidence of the scuds. There is a lot of places for them to hide so I'm not expecting to see much until they multiply and I start netting some duckweed. I'll sure let you'all know when I find some.