Normally I would not recommend harvesting any LMB until their (1st stocked) first spawn has matured and spawned. The offspring from the first set of recruited bass are the ones that start the overpopulation problem. This often is year 4 after stocking depending on what size is stocked and the latitude of the pond/lake. Flathead catfish could be a management problem if they spawn and recruit new individuals.
There aren't going to be any catfish in my bass lake. I was thinking about having a second lake in which I put come large predators, and dumped the fish I culled from the first lake with electrofishing.
Why not have 3 or 4 4to6 acre ponds with each one being a specilized project? I've only got an 1/4 acre pond with YP, HSB and a few WE. Lots of forage and quickly developing large fish. Tons of fun and enough manitinance. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. The Muskies ring my bell, just freshwater Baricudda and easy to control. Bob-O
Your lake sounds fun, and the walleye probably make for some great eating. The lake site, budget, and desire for a trophy bass water will wind up dictating what I do. I hope to be going down to the farm for a job interview in the near future, and will try to snap some pictures.
deadwood, I would recommend you look at the books for sale section of the website. Bob Lusk, one of the owners of this site has written several excellent ones. Buying them, and following their advice will get you well on your way to success. Particularly if you are trying to grow trophy bass...
Definitely going to purchase the relevent books. I've also contacted Bob about possibly coming out to take a look, before I start anything.
