Your musky will also eat larger YP esp when the musky is less than 36"-40". It would be a really great study to see what percentage of YP vs LMB that the musky consumes over course of one year. IMO your emergent vegetation will be helpful for maintaining YP in the pond esp if you focus more on removing smaller LMB. Try an keep records for us and you as to the ratio of LMB vs YP that you catch angling. Also note the lure used which can bias the catch of LMB vs YP. These data will give you quantitative answers over time if your stocking plan is working.
FYI older male YP can also be larger sizes 9"-14". IMO shiners will serve as a 'decoy'. You can monitor the remaining relative shiner density by using baited fish traps.
I am sure there are some local people near you that would like to have the 8"-12" LMB to clean and eat. Maybe check around for this as an option. Even more people would like it if you cleaned the bass for them which any true conservation minded angler would do. Any relatives that like to eat fish? I like to use cleaned fish to repay favors that people do for me.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 03/09/15 01:59 PM.
