Have been reading the forum for years decided to join.
My pond/lake is roughly 15 acres. Located in central Mississippi. It was constructed about 35 years ago and my family purchased the land 25 years ago. It was stocked by the previous owner with LMB, RES and BG. Fishing was great the first several years and began a slow decline. About five years ago we began a rehab program following the advise of local consultant. Things began to turn around almost immediately and are much better now. Most of the things that we are doing are the same recommended by the experts here on Pond Boss.
Nice looking lake (that's a lake to most of us). Do you own the little pond to the left? Welcome to the forum, and tell us more about what you've got, and are working toward.
This is our family compound. My brother, mother (father passed away 4 years ago) sister and I all live here.
Biologist initial report 5 years ago was stunted bass due to over fished forage (BG). We continued for many years to let alot of locals fish for BG because they always had.
First years tasks included: 1) Restock forage with CNBG and TFS. Add feeders for CNBG. 2) Lime 3) Fertilize 4) Add structure. 5) Take out 300 pounds of LMB 12" and shorter (that's alot of 12" fish). This task was completed mainly by my wife, kids and I. It became almost like a second job for me and the wife. Goal met the biologist never thought we would make it.
Subsequent years required removal of LMB increased to 450 pounds. Second year 14" and shorter. 3rd and 4th year 16" and shorter. This year 18" and shorter. We continue to meet these goals to the bioligist suprise. Though we do now have a few outside helpers that know and abide by the rules.
We were suprised when we added the feeders to find there were also a few large grass carp in the lake.
Goals - Maintain forage base by limited BG removal and fertilizing and feeding. Provide balanced LMB population (we want quality and quantity)
Glad you asked about the pond on the left of the picture. About 8 years ago my father was diagnosed with colon cancer. After his initial diagnosis and surgery to remove his colon he began construction of this pond with the help of a guy that works for us at the "farm". They had been planning on building it for years. This kept him occupied for 2 years which is about how long his health allowed him to do physical work. They finished it and he lived another 2 years or so to see it fill and stocked with CC. He (and all of us) were very proud of his accomplishment and the pond is beautiful
We did discover we have some GC when we began feeding. I think I have them scared away from the feeders since I have not seen them in 2 or 3 years.
We have RES which I assume were from original stocking.
We have mudcat which I assume are in every creek fed pond in Mississippi.
We also discovered during the last two electrofishing assessments that we have a decent population of GSH which the biologist said probably established from people releasing leftovers after fishing with them.
No major problem species. The GSH are a good thing for your bass. So how are the size range of your fish with the management plan you've been working on?
Things have really improved. We don't keep real accurate records. We record total number of fish kept and total weight of fish kept and started last year counting the fish we threw back that were over the slot.
Based on this data kept I would estimate the average pound per fish kept has increased from less than 0.75 lbs to 1.5 to 1.75 lbs per fish. Lately we have been releasing about 1/3 of the fish we catch because they are over the length the biologist recommended.
We are still having guest fishermaen keep just 16" and shorter but the biologist told me and the wife to selectively keep 18" and shorter. We also selectively release smaller fish that look like they have "good genes".
Thinking about starting a tagging program and also trying to improve record keeping.
When I get a chance I will include some excerpts/tables from the biologist report and a few pictures.
Nice work !! You are on the right track. You also have a potential forage pond (2nd lake) so you could use it to supplement the big lake. Start a RW chart to help.
Once you really get your bass numbers down, you may want to consider adding new bass to the pond. New genetics in a lake a old as yours is good idea in my opinion. Not sure whether you have any FL genes in your bass, but it would certainly help the cause to grow some decent bass if you only have northern genes right now.
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