Hi Mr Bill

I have a similar case of disappearing YP in my main pond, too. YP are fusiform and are more easily utilized as forage by apex predators in your pond [CC and LMB] - so their population is affected, especially in smaller BOWs like yours and mine. In my case I have WE, SMB and HSB which are the predators responsible for their population decline.

I am supplementally stocking YP in hopes to re-establish their presence in the fishery. I am buying 200 2-3" YP each Spring, caging and feeding AM, and releasing the the Fall at around 5-8". I don't have any evidence this is yet working - but it's worth the effort [and is fun] IMO.

Also, because YP are such an important fish to me, I am dedicating a .45 acre micro pond [formerly serving as my SMB reproduction pond] to F YP and M BG and will feed it heavily. My goal is to create a trophy BG and YP fishery come hell or highwater...and a micro pond with limited species is far easier to manage in order to achieve those goals.

If YP are important to you I'd recommend supplemental stocking of advanced fish and/or consider a micro pond specialty fishery if you have that option.

Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~ Henry David Thoreau

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