Farmer Rick - Firstly, smallies will live and reproduce well in your region and climate. Secondly, they won't do that in a pond, even a large pond if LMB are present. I am not sure how big or diverse a water body has to be to get smallie recruitment when LMB dominate the fishery. In special or exceptional situations, one could get a smallie spawn in the presence of LMB but successful recruitment is even a more remote possibility. Maybe not impossible but very rare. Very few if any have ever reported successful smallie recruitment with LMB dominate.
As I see it, you have two main options to get a full fledged or true smallie pond. 1. Renovate your existing pond. Drawdown your existing pond and rotenone the low pool. While the pond is at low pool you can add structure, reshape bottom areas and overall revitalize the pond. 2. Build a new pond. I have numerous very good smallie ponds near me that are only 1/3 acre.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 11/12/09 11:11 AM.
