Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations stocking bream in a pond with an Existing pop.

I think you got some really good advice on this thread.

I love this thread, and to me it emphasizes the number #1 overlooked factor, bottom of the food chain or ecosystem, plankton. How healthy can a pond truly be without the foundation or bottom of the food chain? To me it is square one. Skip that and you are always going back there. I second that, great thread.

1- Lime pond now
2- Start harvesting bass (and really never stop, as you reach your goals you will continue to harvest bass you will just alter you harvesting rates, etc. So once you get the pond to where you want don't just stop harvesting bass).
3- Stock bluegill (either small bluegill with blocking net or larger bluegill)
4- Once water temp is 60 degrees go ahead and fertilize if no weeds are present. If weeds are there, treat with herbicides or else you are going to grow more weeds.
5- Improve habitat???
6- Install feeders???
7- Stock shad

Did the report mention anything about the habitat of the lake; good or bad?

yeah, the ppm on the alkalinity was an 8 and it should have been at least a 20. we will get started on that ASAP and hopefully get the bloom going by April. Its a project but well worth it if we can make it come together.
thanks for all the input from everyone.
When we get ready to use the blocking nets: where is a good place to buy them?
it is okay to use a cage system instead of trying to block off a certain portion on the lake,i.e. buy a net that will hold the bream like a large cage with sides high out of water to prevent the bass form getting in?
How long will it take for the bream to grow to the 4-5 inch mark with a feeding program?

You can use cages, but it will probably be cheaper to buy a single net large enough to block off an area. Not only do you have to buy netting for the cages, but you need to make a framework to hold them, plus floats and a top cover (to keep the herons and 'coons out).

In no particular order, google the following:
Memphis Net & Twine
Jans Netcraft
Brunson Net Company

I like the idea of blocking nets. But I really, really, like the idea of seining behind it multiple times to assure that you're not blocking in a couple of predators.

Dave good thought. I do that by reverse seining. When I put out the blocking net I start at the bank and slowly seine out from the bank to where the seine is attached to the posts. That way it runs out everything. Sometimes a few small BG or minnows hide in the weeds but that is ok.

did you get my pm about a lime bid if you wanted one? Sometimes the nets plus time plus finglering purchase, plus food equals close to cost of 4-5' bg