Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Feeding weening newly stocked HBC & BC's onto pellets

Stocked large 1.75 acre pond w 150 Hy-BlueCats and 150 BlueCats and BLueGills..[lots of smaller minnows already in pond.

I'm going to make a 10ft x 10ft 2" floating PVC square to contain food. But since these fish were stocked last Wednesday, March 15, are there any good techniques to get the fish as quickly as possible acclimated to the food feeding site? I am assuming the PVC ring will contain the food, but was wanting your experience and suggestions on how to get the 5-7" cats eating as quickly as possible?

if there is anything else you would suggest, I would appreciate your positive experiences. if you have any questions, I would be glad to answer them for you.

Thank you very much,
Rain

I'm brand new, so please take what I say with a grain of salt. I don't know about your blue cat, but here is what I've observed with my bluegill. I was told to give them a few days to acclimate to their surroundings before feeding and then throw out a small amount each day at the same place and same time.

I followed this advice and within a few days, my BG started to show up and eat. So far, I haven't noticed any of my channel cat eating. It doesn't mean they aren't there eating, I just don't see too well, so it's hard for me to say if they are there. My BG on the other hand darn near jump in my lap to feed. No matter what time of day I walk down there, they be hungry.

I'd say start with a handful of feed and feed at same place and same time. Adjust amount of feed as necessary. Today, it's looks like I will be giving them 5 cups. 2 this morning, 1 just now and 2 this evening.

Just keep at it. Patience is key. I know it's hard to wait, at least it is for me.


Your pvc ring is a good idea, I had to make one out of a pool noodle for a few days, but now they eat it as fast as I can chunk.

Thanks Farmall...I agree on the same place and same time, but I don't live there so "the time" thing is going to vary, but I will use the same place.

I see your pond is 1/2 acre; mine is 1.75 so that's a 1.25 acre delta, and a lot more space to traverse getting there...Hopefully they'll catch on soon...I'm going out early am tomorrow, MOnday, so I'll try them at varying times in the same place...I do, typically, in the early morning or later evening is supposed to be better. Both less windy, but the sun is not directly overhead.

Good luck w your fish and thanks, rain

I have experience with one pond similar to yours and stocking blue cats. Long story short, like your pond there was plenty of forage fish in this pond when stocked. The blue cats never did take to the commercial food. And we've had them in there for 2 years.

For those who really want to feed fish pellets, maybe consider rearing them or growing them a bit in a pen, be it cinderblock and pond liner, or a seined area of your pond, etc. If the only food available is pellet they might take to it.

Thanks NED & bass...I believe there are forage fish in there from an upstream pond. I do have a large netting system in my spillway to prevent them from leaving during lg rains. I have 100's of acres of watershed runoff...I have seen my spillway over 30+ft wide and 2 ft deep, after the majority of the heavy rains had already passed...so I know of one productive pond upstream.

Hopefully soon they'll catch-on..the turtles did...I cannot go out today, but will tomorrow and installing an anchored 10ft x 10ft PVC Sq to contain the food...that I hope should do it.

I will keep you posted guys - rain

Well. make the PVC 10ft x 10ft sq, launched in water then fed. Ni luck..guess they are just going to have to get real hungry