Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Grass Carp

I put 10 carp in 2 years ago to help control FA. I had a big FA bloom this year and used Cutrine to try and kill it. anyway, it is gone. Not sure if it was a combination of the carp and Cutrine or what.

There was some pond weed growing after the FA died but it looks like it is getting scarcer. I wonder if the carp are now a detriment to the pond? Should I even worry about them? They have gotten huge. Can 10 carp hurt a 2 acre pond? The fish population is very good and healthy right now.

The jury is out on whether or not Grass Carp eat FA or not.

They will eat pond weed ("pond weed" is a general term, so I shouldn't say that for sure).

I don't think ten in a 2 acre pond is way over the top.

In the past, you used hear crazy stocking numbers like 20-30 per acre and such. Much of this was directed to 'immediate' solutions to ponds overrun with weeds.

At least on the forum, we seem to have gone to saying just a few per acre, but don't expect immediate results; give them a chance to work. Or, stock a few per acre before you have a weed problem.

It is correct though that they dont bother spawning fish or otherwise hurt a gamefish population if they run short on plants to eat?

No absolutes, but if they run out of plants to eat, I'm not sure what they'll do for food. Normal carp root around the bottom to stir up things to eat, but I don't know if grass carp will do the same when forced to find food.

They do eat fish pellets.

Mark, do you have much vegetation left in the pond? Some plants in a pond are vital for oxygenation and habitat (protection for young fish, etc). You don't want a pond devoid of plant life.

If you are worried about excess carpage (highly technical scientific term) you could fish out a few, you know Carp-a-diem.

Excess carpage? That was good. They look like torpedo's in the water. I was happy to see pond weeds growing and FA gone. How big will GC get and how long will they live?

They get roughly the size of an Army surplus jeep. I'm kidding, of course, but not by much. Somebody had a photo on here recently of one he caught from his pond that was over forty pounds, over three feet long. I recently had one take a cricket I was fishing for bluegill, and subsequently played it for close to two hours before it pulled off (I was using six-pound-test and six-pound-test did little more than annoy it); it was at least four feet long and eight inches or better across its back. As to their lifespan, I think they're like those cedar trees that were alive in the time of Jesus; they seem not to die on any reasonable timeline, if at all. I would suggest inviting a bowfisherman out one day at feeding time, or perhaps just take a .22 pondside at said time.

I am still trying to figure out if they played a role in the FA disappearance before I judge and commend them a death sentence. They are a spooky fish the way they appear and disappear like submarines.

47 pounds

If anything, maybe remove 3 or 4, but really, they are not a bad fish to have around. If you do feed, you will lessen their denuding of the pond.

One other thing I would mention is that the infestation of weeds each year can be by different weeds from year to year. In my experience with only one pond over 11 years, the weed species are not always the same.

I have a bow fishing rig and would be glad to remove a few via arrow... HAHA

They are way to spooky for that I'm afraid. I did reduce the geese by 3 this morning. The fish got some food for a change.

Yay, Mark! One for the home team! Maybe the other geese will be severely traumatized and find another pond.

If you did decide you wanted some of the jeeps out of the pond, Mark, CJ would probably be able to get one or two at night, am I right, CJ? With the help of a light?

I shot 6 times and only killed 3 so they had so they had their chance. The first bunch caught me off guard as i was putting out the dekes so I got jumpy and tried to flock shoot. The next bunch weren't as fortunate.

It's a good thing that there is Purina fish chow in the feeder. If the game warden accuses me of baiting i guess these posts about feeding fish and the geese stealing the food would make a good defense.

The code section says you can do normal agricultural activities and they will not be considered baiting. Feeding fish in your pond is what I would consider normal agricultural activities, so I think the game wardens would leave you alone. The game wardens in our our have a lot more to worry about than guys baiting in resident flocks of geese. HAHA If anything they'd probably turn the blind eye if you were baiting them on purpose. How's the dove hunting been?

If you can see the grass carp swimming around and want some removed, I should be able to shoot a few with the bow... Particularly if they're coming in to hog your fish food.

I'm not to worried about them accusing me of baiting geese. WE mowed some sorghum Sunday and it did not bust up very well. Not ripe enough. Havent seen enough doves flying yrt to make hunting worthwhile. How about you?

I've been so busy getting my food plot in Pennsylvania done and had to work this past weekend I haven't gotten a chance to even get out and look for doves. Now it's pouring rain, not the best of hunting conditions for doves... Glad to hear you got a crack at a few geese though!

I can verify that grass carp will eat FA. I have seen the six I have moving into the mats and working them pretty good. The bloom occurred about a month ago. 80% of it has been removed or torn into small clumps.

The GC have moved onto the FA only because a lack of other more preferable food sources. They have also become pellet hogs, but I guess I can't blame them. I will re-assess the situation next year, but at least one or two of them will probably come out.

These fish were added in April and have grown 6-10" and doubled in weight. I have also seen these fish eat water lilies and curly leaf pondweed so they aren't too picky.

I had lots of FA and only two GC. Both died of starvation last year. My white amur would'nt touch the stuff. Perhaps it is not FA, especially if your water has warmed.

I think the GC have become pellet hogs now that I have driven the geese off. The bullheads that i did not stock are also hammering the pellets. I think it is time for corrective measures.

It was definitely FA but it's gone now.

Bullheads are a pain in the butt when it comes to hogging fish feed, for sure.

Let me know if you want help trapping them or netting them... I have some large seines and traps I can help you with.