Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Got surprised today!

LMB and BG are pretty much no-brainers, they will spawn reliably in sufficient numbers to have self-sufficient populations.

YP should spawn, but tend to disappear over time in BG/LMB ponds unless periodically restocked, as they are preferred dinner shapes for LMB compared with the BG. IIRC the BG also out-reproduce them.

CC will spawn in ponds given proper spawning structure (cavities), but CC fry are almost always eaten in ponds with BG & LMB (slow targets). Not to worry, CC are as cheap to restock as any fish in the country, especially in larger sizes. Most of us would prefer no CC reproduction to the chance of being overpopulated with 10+ lbs cats.

The Crappie are the most problematic. The spawn so soon in the Spring that the large weather changes common then can make huge swings from year to year in the number of Crappie making it to adulthood. Overall, however, Crappie reproduce often enough in ponds to have a notable reputation for overpopulating and stunting.

Given efforts and techniques (so numerous I will not attempt to cover them all here), the above species can be managed. Except maybe for the Crappie.