Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Raising Forage and Bait Questions about the minnows I saw today

I went down to my lake today and saw some minnows swimming around today. The water temp is in the 40 and that's the warmest it been in months. I stocked LMB BG and CC 3 years ago. I also put 20lbs if fathead minnows in there. I was wondering if the minnows I saw today were the fathead's or if some of my other fish has spawned. Isn't it to early and cold for the fish to spawn. Just wondering because someone on here told me that my fathead's should all be gone by the 3rd year. Thanks.

Urup, I saw the same thing as my pond is now 80% ice-free. Just as I neared the shore I saw hundreds of what looked like minnows but I've never stocked them, just LMB, BG and HSB.

This early, I too am wondering what they could be?

BTW, I do know there are BCP in there even though I pulled out over 1600 last year trying to "thin the herd". Surely they wouldn't have spawned yet?

Maybe an answer/response to Urup's question will give me an idea (until I'm able to net one).

Thanks!

IMO they are most likely from last summers BG hatch.

Shorty, in my case I think you're right!

I decided to take out the cast-net and was able to catch these a few minutes ago:


Knowing what I know, which is very little, they look like BG to me. But why such a color variation?

(sorry for the interruption/hijack, Urup!)

Hard to say about the color variation.

A number of years ago I dip netted these BG out of my dad's old pond right after ice out just to confirm what they actually were. They were probably from a late summer hatch. I was surprised that they made it through the winter.

Were you able to hand sort 20 pounds of fatheads?

No. They were on the fish truck. He dipped then out into buckets. I looked at some of them. There were a whole bunch. I'll try to catch some and take a pic.

As one continues observe fish over the years, they can get better and better at IDing fish that are in the water, at least down to a family. As time goes by, you will no longer call any small fish a "minnow". Just takes some time to see fish under water, catch them and confirm what they are so you know what they look like under water, how they swim, etc...

Could have been hatched as late as September. I had a hatch then one year.

Yes could be a late hatch of BG. Color varies a lot and even over a few seconds. Lots here of coloration.

Here are 3 outstanding threads on fish coloration and effects.



http://www.pondboss.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=85635&page=1

http://www.pondboss.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=74247&page=1

http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=34878&page=1

Ewest, although I'm still trying to get through it and digest it all, thanks for the great info and links!

Gives a whole new meaning to "it depends" regarding pond related questions