Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Corrective stocking HSB

I agree with Bill Cody. Fish management (meaning harvest and NOT C&R) is the biggest problem that I run into with ponds. More people look at the fish in the pond as "pets" vs. something for the table. More and more I am recommending going with a Hybrid based pond because people aren't willing to harvest fish to keep the fishery in balance.

Golden Shiners, Hybrid Bluegills or just Redears if they are going to be swimming in the pond, and Hybrid Striped Bass. That way there are fish for the kids to catch and no nippers or few nippers if they swim.

esshup, thanks for sharing that. That is really brilliant advice. Over the past few years it seems that most small recreational pond owners fight the same battles and your guidelines would really help. This is where I'm not trying to be critical of our state agencies or their biologists, but just wishing there was a way that the private pond managers and their experience and wisdom could be integrated/shared with the State level pond managers and have good mutual exchange.

For example, do DNR folks in the pond, lake, stream, wildlife management part of the DNR for a given state ever come to give the state perspective (and learn from the private pond owners/managers) at any of the past Pond Boss conferences?

I can see where forage rich, then hybrid only pond would really help in the small pond world where owners are reluctant to harvest.

Thanks!

Yes we have had State Agency folks at the PB Convs.

I agree with Bill as noted above. They are doing their jobs and are not charged with taking risks with the general public. We are the ones on the leading edge. There are articles/studies by State level people on HSB in ponds as far back as 20 years ago.