Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Fathead pond?

I was thinking of digging a small pond near the larger pond just for raising fathead minnows for forage and bait. I have some question I am hoping someone will have some ideas.

I'm thinking of a 8' dia. hole about 4-5' deep and with one end a considerably shallower for algae growth to feed the fats. One of the concerns I have is water temperature. The larger pond is 80 on an 85 degree day at the surface and 2' deep. I don't currently have a longer probe, I use a digital temp from my aquarium.

The second concern is aeration. Where I was planning this hole there is no convenient way to get power there. Running just airline would probably not be the best either, there's just not a good route to go with it. The area does get some wind on it, but I doubt that would create enough wave action to do much.

Another question is at what temperature can fatheads live and still reproduce? I know if we buy them this time of year they don't make it in the pond because of the temp difference, even floating the bag to equalize temps is to much stress.

I appreciate any thoughts or ideas. Worse case scenario is I put a horse tank in the barn with a chiller and a pump, but I would prefer the hole out back.

We planted fatheads in our pond several years ago and seem to be doing fine. It's neat watching the bass go after them in the shallows. I saw a large school of very small fish around our dock which I assume were the fats last month. I always see them very close to shore.

Is it true that they will eat some of the algea? Go fatheads!

We originally stocked our pond with fatheads and several times a year we add a few lbs to feed the hybrids, bass and crappie because of the smaller size of the pond. They never really took, which I think was a lack of us providing them the proper structure. I was wanting to raise fatheads in a seperate pond for bait and feed, but I think I will just put a stock tank in the barn and see if I can add the right things for breeding. I'm not sure if the fats actually eat the algae, but the plankton and stuff that gets suspended in the algae.

I had thought about doing something similar, however, it ended up not being practical. If you do the math you are talking about a small pond which is ~50 square feet or ~.001 of an acre. If you calculate the maximum poundage of fatheads which could be safely maintained in this pond (not sure exactly but for sake of discussion estimate 10 pounds, then figure out the forage produced... 10 pounds every month or two (another estimate). Using the 1:10 rule for larger predatory species (bass) you are talking adding 1 pound of weight each month or so across your entire predatory population. Overall, its not much bang for your buck.

Sarc

Here's another opinion...an 8' hole to raise fatheads won't raise enough to make any difference for your larger pond. Besides,fatheads into an established fishery are only a "snack", not any significant source of long term forage fish. Limited value for valuable time and effort, and money. Money may be better spent buying fish food and feeding existing forage fish a supplemental diet.

Thanks for all the opinions. I think I will just get a stock tank and aerator for the barn to keep a couple of lbs on hand for bait. It would be nice if I could get them to reproduce in a stock tank vs. having to re-stock the bait tank all the time.

We do suppliment our forage base with pellet feed and generally in the spring and fall put in several lbs. of fathead for a tasty snack. Just yesterday I saw many bg and bass fingerlings, it looks as though they have spawned well this year. This is a great site Bob, thank you and all on it!

Our country pond, aproximately 1 acre, was stocked in early April with bg and fatheads. I brought about 50 fatheads back to the city and tossed them into the backyard ornamental pond with waterlillies, goldfish, filtration, aeration etc. Well, fathead babies showed up about six weeks ago and seem to be doing fine. It is interesting watching their progress, learning a little about their habits and watching them move about the pond. If/when they become too numerous, out they'll go a dip net at a time for bait or to the country pond to supplement it or feed the young bass when they arrive this fall.