Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations I need a "thinning" plan for July 4 weekend

Our .5-acre pond is new (late 2008). In 2009, we stocked 50 CC. DH also brought home "some perch"---he can't remember which two species--- that the Department of Wildlife guy gave him. Thanks to numerous rains this spring, we have been full to capacity and most of the time, we've had water going over the spillway. I feed AquaMax twice a day, my CC look great, and the sunfish are plentiful.

OUR GOAL was to have a nice little pond for CC and LMB. I did stock a dozen 4-6" (I think?) LMB in April, but I stronlgy suspect they went over the spillway in the subsequent storms.

Problem is, the rains have been a blessing and a curse because of the upstream ponds. We have what I consider too many bullheads...and at least three carp (yellowish looking)...and I'm pretty sure at least one grass carp. The bullheads and the common carp join the CC at feeding time.

Memorial Day, a friend and I fished about 8 hours and caught 40 bullheads (mostly very small), which we pitched onto the bank. We've had two big rains since then, but the runoff has stopped for now. She and I are going to fish again July 4 weekend, and I think we need to pitch all of the bullheads again.

Is there any reason I shouldn't? Also, if we can catch any/all of the carp, is there any reason to keep those? I'm just trying to restore some sense of balance and quit wasting good ($$) fish food!

The only reason to keep the grass carp would be to control some of your submerged weeds. If you don't have a weed problem, then I would get rid of them all.

Excellent! I doubt we'll catch the grass carp anyway, and I'm not on a "mission" to catch him/her, but I darn sure want to think out some of those bullheads. I like catching and eating big ones...just don't want them in MY pond in such large quantities!
I'll be sure to post a scorecard after the weekend, as well as a picture of the CC that I plan to catch!

Once the LMB become established and start hitting 14"+, they will put the hurt on those bullheads.

There is a strong chance that the LMB are still in your pond.

IMO/E LMB don't often go over spill ways... I am betting you have most if not all your original stocker LMB. To help yourself thin out some of your bullheads(BH), consider purchasing or buying a trap. There are several styles out there and they will catch far more BH per hour than you could ever fish out and they work 24/day 7 days a week... Realize that you are going to have a continued challenge as the overflow from other ponds will be a constant battle and you will always be getting new and unwanted guests. You may want to stock another dozen or two LMB in the 8"+ range to assist in controlling the trash fish. You really want to also remove any common carp you have before they get a chance to pull of a spawn.

Thanks, CJ! Yes, that overflow from upstream is both good and bad. We are going to put up a "fence" of sorts to put on that end of the pond, which would at least stop some of the big fish and cow pies. The runoff we get comes from fields and other ponds, then it dumps into a culvert, crosses the road, and empties into our place.

I so hope that you are right about the LMB staying put!

One of the common carp was floating this morning??? Probably overate last night at the evening feed! Let's hope it's that and nothing else...

Any more news on your bullhead problem or what may have killed the carp?

I posted an update and picture here...the fat channel cats!

No idea what killed the carp. But we took out a couple dozen bullheads.

So how often do you feed your fish and how much at each feeding?

Just trying to get an idea as to how much I am going to start spending when I start feeding?

What all foods have you used and had most luck with?

Where have you found the best place to purchase food?