Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Please initiate me into the GSA

Dave,
If it were you, where would you start to shave numbers, AFA predators are concerned?

Theo or ewest,
Would it be worthwhile to start any sort of feeding program this fall? Or is it better to wait till spring since it is so late in the fall? If I wait till spring, will it be tougher to get the fish to eat the pellets? I've read that the HSB shouldn't have a problem getting back on the pellets, I'm guessing the CC will not have any trouble, the WE will not eat pellets, but what about the perch and SMB?

ewest,
I've caught 3 that were over 4-5" and one at 6", and quite a few at 2-3". They were extremely hungry, b/c a week after I put in the first 5 lbs. of FH's, I caught a 4" that had a belly like a golf ball, my FH I was using as bait in his mouth, and an additional FH in his mouth. Do you think they could overpopulate the pond in only two seasons? They were never stocked in there, ocurred "naturally", and there is no water within 1/2 mile. And, the land never flooded to allow their arrival. FWIW, I counted 10-15 spawning beds, all on the east side of the pond.