This pond was neglected for many years. It had a leak that we fixed. When it fills up this fall it will be around 3 acres and over 20 ft deep. It is currently 14' deep. We have started a fertilizer program and are about to test for lime requirements. Pond has northern large mouth that are small in size(largest one caught is about 16"). Large numbers of 6-10" blue gill. A few redear 9-10" and white crappie around a pound (that was a major mistake).
We want primarily a big bluegill pond. Crappie are ok if we can control them(probably not going to happen). The pond has traditionally produced 1 lb bluegill and redear. The largest was a 2 lb 5oz redear.
With the neglect and leak, an unintentional draw down occurred each summer resulting in large gills and crappie and small bass. If I understand everything correctly this helps create larger gills.
This pond has usable fish in it so we will not kill and start over until the other ponds on our place are rehabbed and ready to fish. We have a pond that we are turning into a minnow pond. If we supplement minnows into the pond, will that keep the crappie from stunting again as in the past?
What size gills do we need to keep and what size to release?
All feedback is appreciated. I am certain all these questions have been answered, I just cant find the info.
