Thanks to everyone for the feedback.
LMB: YOY to 4 lbs. Most common are 1-2 lbs
CNBG: YOY to 1+ lbs. Lots of 3-5 in fish
WM: very uncommon but usually 7-8 inches
Most of my sampling is hook and line. I catch most of the bigger LMB on 3" BG. I seined last week and caught a lot of YOY BG, some 1ish yr BG and a few YOY LMB. No pictures so I might do it again this weekend.
My goals for the pond are fatter fish and a more diverse ecosystem while maintaining or improving swim friendliness.
There's some maidencane now and there used to be a lot when the water was high. After being exposed by drought we mowed it back to diversify the vegetation on the hill and enable easy access by foot. After mowing, bullrush and st john's wart, among other plants, has begun to thrive.
I planted some water lillies last year but the turtles murdered them in a matter of days. I put some fence around the a few but they didn't survive. Can I expect more aquatic vegetation from the expected changes associated with liming?
I'm thinking my next step is to add some limestone boulders for another type of cover.
