Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!!
As for lake ownership, we own all but a 1/2-3/4 acre nub of the water; the entire waterbody is classified by the DNR as "non-lakeshore"; and there weren't even any setback restrictions for building. The part we don't own, is owned by a paper company, as is 600 acres of timber that completely surrounds our 40 acre parcel. The one exception being the tiny pond that's fed from our lake via a 1-2 foot wide little canal that goes through a marsh and under the road to our neighbors property (Though his house is 1/4 mile away from the little pond and in essence is completely ignored).
Here is my crude overhead map, the parts we don't own are shown in yellow.
Our goal is to sustain fish that are pleasing table fair, (Walleye, Crappie, Bluegill or Trout) in sufficient numbers to catch one without spending all day at it. On the map you'll notice a small stream feeding the lake that our driveway bridges.
Ironically I was at the house today and confirmed my first jumping fish! But it was at a range of about 100 yards and all I could figure out is that maybe it was 10-12 inches long.
First off I'm concerned about freeze-out each winter. Though obviously the fish I saw today managed to survive a season or two.
Secondly, since I know we have a massive minnow population (albeit of unknown species), I'm curious how to best analyze the food chain dynamics to acheive the right balance of fish.
I suspect that a $1000 windmill aerator may eliminate my concerns regarding freeze out oxygen issues, but of course I can't be certain. It's also not uncommon that we get 3 feet of ice on our lakes up here. Even in the deepest part of the lake that would only leave a few feet of liquid water for the fish to cohabitate in each winter if I was to allow it to freeze solid.
These are my primary concerns. Thanks again for the warm welcome and all of your substantial posts. I can't express to you how pleased I am at the quality of your site and message board. I look forward to becoming and avid partner in the pondboss community, and will certainly become a magazine subscriber post haste. Thanks again everyone!!
