Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Over winter trout for the table

Hello folks,

I haven't had a lot to say since finally joining you all in the deep end here on the forum as it has been a crazy busy summer.

Anyway my little hole in the ground here in NW Ohio was dug in Oct. of last year and it has grown into a very rewarding backyard getaway. 1/10th. acre more or less, half at 12' half sloping up to small beach with a 3 foot wading area. Eco - 7 and three 9" diffuser run 24-7 in the deepest part and an 80' mock stream bed with waterfalls that is run for our enjoyment when out back in the evenings. I had to offer a little fresh water well support during the driest periods this year but otherwise it's held surprisingly well. Naturally clay lined with bottom grays drug up to line ground level slope and compacted. Two nice blooms this year and one small spat with scum but limited and short term.

Mostly for it's just for swimming, however my thought was to feed-out 30-40 RBT over winter, beginning at the end of this month or early next with a planned harvest in late May. Right now it's Just FHM (lots and lots with this year's spawns), frogs, the occasional turtle and decent water plants around the edge of the rip rap lined shores.

I would shore feed to begin with and maintain as they respond but not too much as I would like them to work on the FHM population. What do you seasoned veterans think of the plan?

You shouldn't have any problem doing what you are planning. The only concern I see is adding the trout this month. It will depend on your water temperature. I wouldn't put them in unless the water is at least down to about 65 degrees at a 3-4 foot depth. Several warm and sunny days could really affect the fish.

Hand feeding in that size pond will be a lot of fun. RBT are very acrobatic at feeding time. For us, feeding is actually more fun than catching them. If you can, get several, or all, as golden trout. They are just mutants of RBT, but much easier to see in the pond.

They will love the forage fish, probably wiping them out. If so, they are easy to replace next summer.

I would wait until October.

Thanks Mr. Doo. And you are so right. While the temp readings I have taken in the deeper areas are dropping quickly these days I have also seen crazy swings in the shallows.

I should wait.

It's like telling a kid not to shake the presents under the tree but you are right... I should wait.

Yep Cecil. I know with you being in the same general geographic area together with your trout mastery that you are right. It's not easy but I should wait. Thanks

One other question. Where should I place the diffusers come the cool weather? I want the best DO levels but I am very concerned if I leave them at the deepest level where they have been that it could casue the temps to be too cool, too deep?

By the way the fella that came up with the Eco 7 system is my hero. Throughout this year's crazy hot temps, 90's for days on end with weeks of rain short falls, our little pond was healthier and held more water than dozens around me with huge fountains evaporating gallons of water into the air.

Waterbug,

Trout can take supercooling fine (if it really exists which I have my doubts) as they are a coldwater fish. However I still place my diffuser in the shallow end of the pond in 3 or 4 feet of water or anywhere on the pond in that depth of water.

My main reason for the diffuser with trout is to keep an area free of ice to prevent any problems in the winter if there is deep snow.

What size trout do you plan to stock? I would choose trout of at least 9". It's been my experience rainbow trout aren't overly predatory on fish relying more on inverts until they are at least 9" and really turn on the predatory nature at around 12". If you wish for your trout to thin the FHM out, I'd limit feedings to once or twice a week. In my opinion, there is no reason why you couldn't stock a quarter of your trout as brown trout. They are highly predatory on fish. Tiger trout would be top picks if you can source them... However sourcing browns and especially tigers in your area maybe a trick.

Aeration should be done in 3'-4' of water to prevent the mentioned issues.

Cecil beat me to the punch!

Thanks Cecil. While you don't know it, I have watched and learned much from your posts due to your location and simillar pond sizes and such.

Thanks again

I was planning on the 8-10" range. They are reasonably priced and I have read several places that at that size it is common to see them put on 1" on average per month.

I had not honestly considered Browns. I have caught many wilds over the years. I have pics of Cecil's but I guess I just figured they might be a little harder to manage for a rookie like me.

They are so sly to the hook in the river are they catchable in a pond or would have to net?

Browns are actuallu more hardy than rainbows. Raising them is no harder. My experience is they're far more aggressive initially, being readily caught on spinners and other minnow mimmicking baits. After they've been caught a couple times they do get smarter and somewhat harder to catch. However, if you do go with themm they're not gonna be in your pond for that overly long for them to become impossible to catch.

I think you'll be fine with 8 to 10 inch trout. Even at that size the slower moving fatheads will be an easy targer. This is ehanced as the water cools and the trout have a faster metabolism. If fed well they can grow up to 1.5 inches per month so they wont' stay that small very long. If the winter is mild again you'll have some nice trout by spring.

Any species will work for you: brooks, browns, rainbows, tigers etc. If it was me I'd mix them for variety. The brooks will croak on you earlier in the spring though as the water warms up. As Travis says the browns tend to be hardier in marginal water temps but there are exceptions.

Well I really like the Brown Trout addition maybe even the Brookies but unfortuantely I spent considerable time calling all known sources in my area and can only find Rainbows. I am going to try an out state source I have been told about tomorrow.

Anybody know of any seceret sources for these in or near Ohio?