Thank you Fish n chips, Catmandoo, TJ, Bocomo, Snrub, Bill Cody and Esshup. I appreciate your responses and information and the time it takes to analyze different ponds. It is great to hear from you all and get your perspectives. Now I have a whole lot more information to absorb, and analyze.
To Snrub's suggestion, I have considered that idea as I read different posts. One idea I liked was using a protected area to raise fry until adjusted to new pond and big enough to be introduced to pond. I have one part that would be very easy to separate, and is currently separated. I have a few other ponds which are completely separate, also, that I could accomplish this in. I liked Bill's idea in a post of a YP only pond.
I like the stocking idea TJ had as his #1, and am leaning towards draining and rotenone. Hard to throw away water in South Dakota. It could fill back up this spring, or in 5 years. I would definitely like to get in on the GSH and Grass Shrimp order. I agree with the you on never knowing what is the pond. The only fish trapped for years was FH, that I used for bait. Then after dam was fixed I started catching GSF. Hopefully no other surprises. As Bill mentioned, the GSF really trap real easy.
Bill, I will review the plant information you supplied and respond when i know more. I like your idea's of getting the shallow area's covered in a good weed. I would hate to have a football field sized cattail area, that used to be somewhat productive. I will need to move quickly on this. I read about baby pondweed at TAMU, and other name is "potamogeton pectinatus". It stays more submerged than APW. We typically have high alkili levels in our soil and water. I really like the HBG idea and feeding them. You are right about the YP #s and sizes for stocking. I typed in fry, but had planned to add larger YP. Per your suggestion, I will not be adding supplemental WE fry, I will add the larger WE for supplemental stocking. I would be more than happy to harvest 14" WE and then replenish via stocking 6-8" or 8-10".
A couple questions on feeding. Should I try to purchase pellet trained YP? Or just feed GSF and HBG? If I am feeding, should I use an aeration system? My pond see's a lot of wind and wave action. I'm keeping my wife up typing in bed, so I had better go for now. Thanks for all the idea's and help.
P.S. My last couple of login's I have been trying to get my I subscribe logo to show up. I have found the link, and the instructions are clear, so I will get it done. Luckily, its way easier to subscribe, than to advertise that i subscribe.
Last edited by joelleye; 02/11/14 12:45 AM.
