Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Why are my fish dying?

HI, and thanks for this opportunity. Here goes... We bought a place last year with a small farm pond. The pond is about 65 feet wide and 180 feet long. The deepest point is around 4 feet and the bottom tapers out as most do. We were under the assumption that there were no fish in it as fishing last year produced no result. From the fish truck we added 50 hybrid bluegills about 6 inches long and 25 channel cats about 8 inches long and 2 grass carp. All seemed to be fine. Catching and releasing and having a good time. We noticed that we caught several "yellow belly" cats and tons of 1 inch brim. We decided we would go to a pay lake on delivery day and pick up some big cats to get rid of the brim...then the problems started. First the man at the paylake told us to bring a cooler chest which he filled with 2-6 lb cats and then just dumped a bucket of water in over them. I was new to this, and didn't question it...He assured me they would be "fine". They all seemed to live...for the time being. Now two weeks later, I have picked up dead fish on a regular basis. 5 yellow belly cats (which is no big deal, but why are they dying) and 6 channels (no doubt stress). There seems to be plenty of aquatic vegetation, water is a little cloudy, (seeing about a foot down into the water). What are some thought on this situation. We know we made several mistakes. Does anyone have any suggestions or help?

KYCF (Are you sure you don't want to change that to Kentucky Fisher of Cats, just for the trademark infringement potential?):

Are the CC that are dying just the ones from the paylake? If so, I suspect that their problem is delayed hooking injuries or transport stress (as you have mentioned).

I am assuming the "yellow-bellied cats" are Bullheads.

4 feet is not very deep. You could be having biomass capacity (since there are more fish than just the ones you've stocked i there) and/or water quality problems.

It sounds like you have a breeding population of some kind(s) of sunfish (plus alleged bullheads). It is doubtful catfish will be able to eliminate them, however they could be useful in providing forage for the cats. Any HBG added will sooner or later disappear into the vast number of brim breeding in bigger numbers. I suggest you try and get a better idea of exactly what you have in the pond wrt species, numbers, and sizes, and then pick a management plan frm that starting point that will lead you to your goals for the pond. (What are your goals?) We can help identify any fish you are unsure of (posting pics will be a huge help there) and giving you some management options.

Yes, except for the bullheads, the channels from the paylake are the only ones dying. How long does it take stress to kill fish?

AS far as goals, I just want a little place I can relax and catch a few. Where and how can I test the water?

Angling stress, 1 day to maybe a week.
Hauling stress - ? Probably at least as long on the far end.

Local NRCS office, State Universities are usually good contacts for water testing location info.

Anyone know where to get pond water tested in Kentucky?

From the archives - State Agency links - KY

Whenever an unusual number of stressed or dying fish are discovered by a
pond owner the district fishery biologist may be contacted. He may be able to
identify the disease and suggest methods to correct the situation. Collect dying
(moribund) fish rather than fish that are already dead if they are to be examined
by a fish disease expert. It is recommended that the fish disease specialist at
Kentucky State University - Aquaculture Section in Frankfort be contacted at
502-597-6581.