Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Feeding How Much To Feed As The Weather Cools

I have a new pond in central Mississippi built Feb.'05 and stocked with Bluegill and F1 Bass. The weather has finally started cooling here with our 2nd major cold front dropping temps from the high 80's day/70's night to mid 60's day/low 40's night. I noticed my fish are becoming more sluggish as the water temps drop and are not eating as aggressively as they did a couple of weeks ago. My question is should I cut back on my daily feedings and at some point will the fish totally turn off to feedings as I know bass in the wild do not expend as much energy during the winter months to feed in the wild. Also, should I expect to continue feeding during the winter or is there a cut-off? New to this and want to do whats best. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

The metabolism rates of fish drop pretty quickly with lowering water temperatures. For LMB, I believe every 8 degree drop in temp corresponds to the metabolism being cut in half. Naturally, the amount of food they require and will eat drops also.

BG (Northern ones, anyway) are supposed to cease eating (floating) pellets at about 55 degrees. My pond temp dropped from 64 degrees last week to 54 degrees yesterday and BG feeding has virtually ceased. I am surprised that my CC are still eating some (they're supposed to stop at more like 60 degrees), but their consumption is way down, too. I've got 5-6 lbs of feed left, and then that's it for me for the year.

I'm not sure what temps LMB will pellet feed at, but watch how much feed they and the BG consume and let that be your guide on how fast to reduce. If a lot goes uneaten, cut back and/or skip some feedings. Being as far South as you are, maybe your Winter water temps will be high enough for reduced feeding all Winter long (?). I suspect some pondmeisters near you will have an excellent idea.

Striped bass hybrids pretty much quit all pellet eating at 54 degrees F. The one exception is if temperatures have been steady between 50 and 54 for a few days. In this case there will be some limited feeding.

RLewis :

We have stopped feeding. Our water temps. are several degrees colder than most in our/your area. Most of the fish have moved off the banks (shallow water)and are mostly in a winter pattern. BG are in deeper water and have pale colors. Water has cleared with 4-5 ft visibility with no obvious plankton bloom. Overnight lows in the high 30's for last few days. Fish activity has slowed to winter levels. ewest

Thanks, Bruce, that answers a question (HSB Feeding Temps) I hadn't asked yet.

BTW, I checked out wipercentral.net today. 1) Can you put some sizes & weights to go with those pictures? 2) You gotta set up closer to me, 'cause you are WAY undercharging for Wipers by Ohio prices.

Conestoga Reservoir (approx. 300 acre impoundment)

32 inches.

Catch and release world record for 6-pound test.

With known Wr's was probably 18-20 pounds

Angler: Unknown ( )

RLewis,

Water temps rather than time of year dictate the feeding patterns in the pond in which I use artificial feed. For example, last year I was feeding until Jan. 1 when water temps hit the magic 50 degree mark where the fish stop feeding in that pond. Interestingly, to me at least, the HSB were the last fish to stop feeding and when the water would warm above 50 degrees they would start feeding again, regardless of time of year.

Thanks for all the input guys. This helps me tremendously. I still probably have 5# of pellet food and was about to go buy another 50# bag but will now wait until spring so it will be fresh.

One more question, since fish may or may not feed on odd days during the winter when the water may warm a bit should I add more forage such as flathead's for the fish to snack on?

RLewis,

That's an interesting thought. I've never heard of that but it sure seems to me that it couldn't hurt anything (except maybe your budget). At the worst, if the fatheads aren't eaten during the winter, they would be eaten the following spring when water temps go up. I'm trying something this year somewhat similar, i.e. stocking small rainbow trout. Mostly, it's for the fun of catching and eating, but also for the winter time forage for larger predators. I think you may have a good idea there which at worst only costs money.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Bruce Condello:
Angler: Unknown ( )
QUOTE]

Considering the unsavory appearance of that character, I wouldn't want to know him either. Damn fine fish, though.

RL, I agree with Meadowlark, all it can hurt is your wallet. With lower water temps and higher DO2 in the Winter, the pond should have no trouble handling the extra fish (until they become bass burps).

RLewis :

I agree with Theo and ML. Who knows you may even get an early spawn out of the fatheads as a bonus .ewest

Readers - Notice how big the mouth is on the striper that Bruce is holding. Pretty small mouth for a fish that large.

In late fall fish will only need to feed once a week or so. As water temp drops below 50 surface feeding practically stops. A few real warm days may stimulate an occassional feeding spree. Fat fish will usually do fine health wise until water warms again in spring, providing there are no oxygen shortages. Nature has things taken care of for the fat fish during winter and under ice cover.

Bill,

What do you mean Bruce has a big mouth because the fish's mouth is so small? Oh sorry I misunderstood!

ROTFLMAO!

:p

Bruce :

Like your new name. Should it be Male Bluegill Rule. ewest

A moniker a day, keeps the doctor away.

Rlewis, my rule of thumb says feed what they will eat. No matter what the season.

In my area we have had thus far a pretty mild winter. In fact the since Christmas the temps have hovered between 60-75 degrees and I am still pellet feeding. I throw out a little and see how they react...some days they eat more than others. I actually started catching some of my F-1's about a week ago just to see if they would take a lure. Caught so many I lost count. Alot of the F-1's are in the 10"-12" length which is amazing to me since they were introduced to my pond at about 2" long in June '05. What really amazed me is how fat they are. Can't wait till the upcoming summer to see how big they have gotten.

Feed until they quit eating. Take advantage of the mild temperatures.