HISTORY: This is a 3 acre 12' max. depth retention pond in a housing development constructed in '88. The original stocking was by fisherman from other lakes, BG, LMB, Flathead cats. No Mgmt till '93, then only attempts at weed control. In '96 stocking of 60 grass carp, 300 red ears, 100 channel cats. Weeds are under control since '97. The pond has always had little fishing pressure with few fish removed. To increase genetic diversity a recent stocking of 500 BG, 300 Red ear, 300 CC, 100 LMB, 5000 Mosquito Minnows. No feeding or fertilization program.
GOAL: A healthy diverse pond. Good fishing but no emphasis on trophy LMB or trophy BG. I do not want a pond full of skinny little fish.
SUBJECTIVE: Fish Farm Guy says the pond looks good (no survey done). From the bank one sees: What appears to be a healthy pond. Visibility to about 18", 3-4 doz turtles 14" to 4", Mussels are abundant and easy to pick up in shallow water, yearling LMB to 6lbs seen but not as many small LMB as expected, LMB regularly seen in shallow water and strike at fish in ultra shallow water, BG yearling to 9", but I would expect a larger ratio of small BG, No CC are ever seen, 3 or 4 36" GC are regularly seen, occasional FC seen. Regular visits by river otter, osprey, heron, storks, cranes, anhinga, etc.
OBJECTIVE: No channel cats have ever been caught. FC are all 14-16" & 2-2.5 lbs, LMB the few that I have caught are 4-6lbs appear to be healthy, No angling PSD done nor RW Index done for LMB. BG angling PSD approaches 80%, RWI the BG appear to be 50% underweight for their size.
ASSESSMENT: Pond is on the cusp heading towards an over population of BG. The BG population has reached its Maximum capacity for the pond hence they all are now under weight.
PLAN: Remove all BG possible in the 3-7" range. Return all LMB & most FC & CC. Feed MM and Fry.
Comments?
What do I do with all those underweight BG? Make BG smoothies for the small fish?
Where are the channel cats or what has happened to them?
