Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations A newb question, how many to fish out?...

How do I know the number of fish I should be taking out over the summer to keep my balance in check? (I know, impossible question)

I only have BGs and LMB. One acre pond, put in 200 BGs in '07 and two dozen LMBs in '08. My main goal for my pond is to have decent sized of both, strictly for friends and their kids to have a little weekend fun. I just want to be sure my numbers aren't going to high and causing small fish and heavy bio load on my little pond. Is there a guide (probably by weight?) to know when/how many fish need to be removed before it gets too far?

Just looking for a generalzation based on size of my pond, amount of fish I put in, etc... like "you should be eatin' at least a dozen bass a month, and twice that many bream".

Thanks!
Jeff-

The first fish you put in (the original stockers) in BG/LMB ponds are brood stock. Those are generally not taken out. Its the offspring that are harvested as they get bigger. You started with low numbers 200/24. Normal stocking for a balanced pond is at least 10 to 1 BG to LMB and 1000 BG or more per acre if you are stocking 2 inch fish. You started a little low on BG #s and % so it might be better to go easy on them when you start to harvest.

Is the pond fertile (green water in summer) ? Do you feed the fish pellets ? Here is the archive for population assessments.

http://www.pondboss.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=92492#Post92492

And here is the archive for carrying capacity.

http://www.pondboss.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=92440#Post92440

Pond is fertile, I feed occasionally for fun, not for growth.
I posted pics on another thread of the growth I've had so far.

I'm ok with stocking it light, it's not gonna be fished heavy. I just want to be sure I harvest accordingly.

Thanks ewest.