Pond Boss Forums INTRO New Forum Member Introduction 2 questions

1. My one acre pond is approaching its first year birthday. I've been patient and have only stocked 500 HBG and 250 RES. Their growth has been really impressive. I also have the pond teeming w/FHM. I plan on adding WE this fall and HSB next year. However, I'm seeing several hatches from the sunfish. I was wondering if I should add a predator now to control them (like a couple LMB) or possibly add the HSB this fall as well. I really wanted the WE to get a great head start, but I fear the young sunfish will be too large for them.

2. My second question involves grass carp. I guess I should not be surprised, but my grass carp are consuming lots of feed. Is this normal? The pond is just a little low now, and there is no vegetation on the shoreline nor algae anywhere. I'm thinking they may be hungry. I was pondering feeding them grass clippings in hopes that they might leave the feed alone. Any thoughts??

Thanks

1) I wouldn't be too concerned about the YOY. With a 1 ac pond, the stocking rates are low. I would not stock any LMB and would continue to be patient.

2) Re: Grass Carp. Catch them with Stubby Steves Pellets and release them. They will quickly learn not to eat the pellets. BUT, if there isn't enough vegetation in the pond for them to eat, they have to eat something. GC aren't known to control FA, but they will eat it if there isn't anything else to eat. I'll bet the pellets taste better than the FA. I would not add anything else for them to eat besides the pellets.

Usually I won't stock GC in a pond until there is a weed problem.

Thanks. I'll fortify my patience. I did have algae issues in the spring, and they ate it all. It's rather amusing to watch them whittle a floating piece down to size.