Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations fish hatchery said

Hosty - Tell Fender that you have been talking to me. He will say that he taught me everything I know(look for his smile). Also tell him that I have "gotten a little off the path" since I don't come to see him as often anymore.

Since you are on a low budget here is what I would do; buy about 3-4 pounds (300-500) of fathead minnows this spring. Provide them spawning structures as described here. Does he sell minnows now by the pound or each? They should be large sized breeders (2"-2.5") Also this spring, I would add the about 60-90 fingerling (1"-1.5") bgill unless he only has 2"-4" bgill. Bgill (1"-1.5") with fatheads should be 4"-6" by spring 2005. If he only has larger bgill then I would wait till fall to add about 60-90 of the 3"-5" bgill. Stock 2"-3" bass in late summer early fall 2004 so they eat and grow to decent size by spring 2005. Fatheads will be basically gone by bluegill spawn time and then bass will then feed on the 2005 bgill spawn. Watch and sample bgill in summers of 2005 and 2006 and make any needed adjustments (additions or subtractions) to fish populations. If you feed bgill pellets(esp. in 2006) you should have some 7"-9" bgill at end of 2006. Bass at end of 2005 should be 10"-13".

You can explain my theory to Fender if you want to. Interesting to see what he says.

I don't recommend grass eaters until you have a grass problem that is beyond normal manual removal efforts (8-12hrs per yr) for a 0.5 ac pond. Most of the early grass growth can be manually removed from a small pond like yours with a "Lake Rake" or "Beechcomber Rake". Leave 20% weed cover for the fish and remove the remaining weeds. When weeds growth gets too much to remove by hand add enough "grass eaters" (usu 1-3) to eat about 30%-40% of the weeds, then you remove about 30% and leave remaining weeds for fish habitat and nutrient consumption.