The pond I am trying to help some friends with is approximately 1 acre. The first pond was constructed then later the previous owner built a second pond and connected the two forming an elongated figure eight. The first part has an aerator. The pond has not been limed or fertilized for at least 10 years. The pond turned over a few years ago. The southern long side of the pond has a mature tree line shading about half of the pond from fall until spring.The pond also has leaves on the bottom from 17 years of the hardwoods shedding. It was a largemouth/bluegill pond and a buddy of the previous owner brought some catfish to add to the mix.
The Problems: Most of the pond in the summer is plagued by southern naiad. The weeds are probably getting plenty of nutrition from the leaves on the bottom. The owners added four grass carp a few years ago and it didn't help. Since they haven't seen the carp since I am assuming that they died. The largest bass that I have seen is at best 18". Almost all of the bass that you catch are around 12". Fishing for bluegill with live redworms you catch a few 7" - 8" fish and a few 4"-6" fish. If you walk along the bank you can see a lot of small bluegills and what I call branch minnows. This appears to be an overcrowded bass pond but these fish aren't easy to catch like in most overcrowded bass ponds.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
