I'm going to build a pond in Lewisburg WV. Primarily for LMB. First, Bob Lusk and I have talked and the plan is for him to be my consultant. So, many of these questions will get answered in time. However, I'm a sponge for knowledge now.
Lewisburg is at an elevation of 2000 ft in Southeastern WV. Due to the elevation, the climate is similar to southern PA or Ohio, etc... Not quite real Northern, but similar. I always read that Bluegill were the backbone of a LMB pond. But, I just read the recent PB issue and Bob said, " Bluegill are the backbone of the food chain for largemouth bass, except in Northern states". I thought bluegill were essentially the backbone in all climates, since many bluegill are very cold,tolerant. This confused me?
So here is my questions:
1. Is my climate and area truly Northern or am I kind of in the middle, definately not South?
2. Given this climate, is bluegill still going to be my backbone of,the food chain?
3. Since we do get snow. and freezing in winter, had 2 ft of snow 3 weeks ago, what are the other forage species that we should stock? I know species like thread fin Shad die in water that gets this cold and gizzard shad can be a problem If get too large for bass to eat?
4. What about crawfish as a secondary source, or are they just a quick snack?
I realize there will be a system to the stocking, i.e. forage stocked first, some time later the LMB, etc...
