Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Harvesting LMB - what do you do with them?

I have mostly been a catch & release fisherman but do realize that in order to manage my LMB/BG pond I will, at some time or another, need to harvest some fish. This may be a silly question but for those of you harvesting LMB what are you doing with them? Are you eating them? I remember eating bass as a kid and they really didn't taste like much. Besides, if I am harvesting 10-14 inch bass it seems like a lot of trouble to clean them for the size of the meal. On the other hand I don't like the idea of 'throwing them over the bank' either.

I throw them in the freezer and then donate them whole to a local organization that feeds them to injured birds of prey such as bald eagles and osprey. The organization here is known as The Raptor Recovery Center. It helps get rid of more fish than I care to eat in a years time.

I agree, flavor wise LMB are a little bland, but that can always be cured with a few spices.

I personally havn't ever done this but I know a few individuals that will cube them up and toss the pieces back in the water for the remaining LMB and Channel catfish to recycle. You would be suprised at the number of large LMB's that can be caught on fresh cut bait.

I eat them. They are not the most flavorful but they taste OK fried with Uncle Bucks batter or similar. Actually, since they are the only fish I fry, I sorta look forward to them.

I would not bother filleting the 10" LMB. The cutoff to get a reasonable filet seems to be right around 1-1.25 lbs or 12-14".

Another option is to see if any of the neighboring pond owners need them. You never know.

I always thought they tasted pretty good

Am I just not being picky enough?


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If they're big enough to filet, I eat them. If they're too small, I dump them in my creek. If they're really small, I toss them.

Know somebody close by with a pond full of stunted BG who could use some extra bass?

Run an ad in your local paper. You could be another "free fish man" or could possibly get several responses even if you charge. In south Ga. we can get $6.00 a pop for 10-12" yearlings. At least it would help pay for your ad, time, and feed.

If I ran a add in our local paper to sell some LMB fingerlings, the local game warden would be knocking on my door asking to see my fish dealers/sellers permit. I advise all those thinking of doing this to first check the DNR game/fish laws before selling any live or dead fish. My local game warden would be kissing me like in Deb's signature photo above, but he would not be kissing my lips! He would be kissing my wallet.

When we harvest bass and the land owner doesn't want them we take them home and fillet them out. They are good and the best part is that they are free. We don't have a market for reselling bass that don't have documented Florida genetics....especially stunted fish. I can't see why anyone would want to buy them.

I don't get this bass aversion. They make great filets even a 10 inch bass has more meat than a 6 inch bluegill that folks clean all the time. They do have very little taste that is what I like I can not stand a real fishy tate. bass will taste like what you season them with. When I pull them off the propane fryer at parties folks can not even wait for them to cool off, no plates needed here.

Greg, you and your propane fryer have an open invite to my pond for this summer's LMB Cull-Fest.

If you've got a good recipe for Brown Bullheads, bring it along too!

Greg, I also prefer bass. I like crappie better but haven't fished for them in years.

Dave, I had crappie filets last night. We caught three in the Larry Munson (famous voice of the bulldogs) tournament. We did not win bass money but there was a $200 prize for top 10 crappie. Well I caught 3 (on bass lures) that weighed 3 -9 and won by 3 ozs. I'm not proud I will take the money. Anyway fun to fish with my Dad again and good eatin' to boot.

Guys, I hate doing it, but I toss mine on the bank.

I wonder if you could roll a gas powered mulcher out on the end of the dock and and provide some free fish food to the smaller fish in your pond?

You definately wouldn't want to store the mulcher in the shed or garage after that though.

"You definately wouldn't want to store the mulcher in the shed or garage after that though."

Yeah, you'd probably want to keep that in the master bedroom.