Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Help Finding Dead Fish

Over the last few days I have been finding dead fish on land about 10 feet away from the shore all within 30' of each other.

Upon examing the fish I see no damage from claws or teeth and no attempts of anything trying to eat the fish (other than insects).

So far I have found one 26" Walleye (I about cried) and five 10-12" Perch. I have thousands of large GSH but haven't seen any of those lying on shore.

This is not an overflow area so someting must have caught and droppd them there. Does anyone have any ideas on what would do this, or even have the ability to do this to such a large fish.

Thanks - Art

To me It almost sounds like somebody is catching your fish and purposely throwing them on the bank.

I would say Blue Heron , prob got the walleye near shore while it was spawning or attempting to

I'm not sure a blue heron could lift a 26" walleye.

The last issue of PB had a chart showing approx. weights for a 26" walleye, but I don't have the issue with me.

A lot of larger fish who have tangled with herons have the tell-tale puncture wound or slash wound on the top of their heads.

When I first read arond's initial post, I thought poachers as well. Didn't want to believe that though.

Did you notice any hook marks in their jaws? It's hard to believe any predator other than human wouldn't have left any marks.

Saw two more perch last night, both 10+ inches. Game cameras in the area did not pick up anything.

I have seen blue herons in the pond but due to the size of the fish I wasn't sure if they could "handle" anything that size. I just figured they would go after the thousands of frogs around the shore. No signs of any wounds on any of the fish.

Interesting you mentions a walleye near shore while spawning. I didn't think walleye would spawn without waterflow (creek or river). I have recently caught small walleye (6-8"), when the only ones I stocked were 10-12" three years ago.

Thanks - Art

Seems strange that it's just predatory fish, not larger prey fish (GSH). Without any marks on them, I'd say 2 legged non-feather covered poachers.

Maybe they got scared off and ran without the fish?

If there were no large creatures at all then poachers couldn't be blamed.

I highly doubt the two legged poachers would get in and out undetected.

I frequently find the remains of GSH up high on my tree stand that is near the pond. I figure that is an osprey or an owl feeding on them at night.

Art

It has to be a Big Foot!!! Look for fresh tracks!!

If no tracks I would guess ALIENS!!! Look for crop circles!!

If no crop circles I would guess fish fill and small critters dragging them away..