Crays will work better or more successfully in the Bg/RES pond than the larger pond. Smallies will likely keep the cray numbers low enough in the big pond so the crays only mildly thin out their favorite plants/vegetation. After adding the crays in small pond, it may take several years until the cray population gets high enough to eliminate the weeds. Start with papershells. Then if you don't see significant weed reduction after 3-4 yrs add add some rusty crays. You may have to manually thin some of the vegetation for the first 1-3 yrs until the crays become abundant. Buy yourself a weed razor and lake rake.
The amur should eat / 'enjoy' all the weeds you mention. In one acre, would stock at least 2-3 more and give all 5-6, 3 full summers to achieve optimum performance. In the meantime use the rake and weed razor to help the amur "get er done". Use the weeds you take out as mulch for trees or garden plants. One can remove lots of weeds in 3-4 hrs of cutting and raking. Do that 2-4 times per spring-summer and give the fish a break from angling so often. Maybe buy the razor and rake first clean out seining areas then see where you are at before adding all extra 3 amur. Maybe Add one per year. Your goal is to NOT denude the pond. Also you can spot treat weeds with Hydrothol (granular). Check with Kelly Duffie on other spot treatment options.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 05/19/11 03:06 PM.
