Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Managing Bluegill in a 1 acre pond question?!

Anthropic here is an article from Virginia Department of Game
of Game & Inland Fisheries Conserve. Connect. Protect.

Hunting Fishing Boating Viewing Wildlife Info Conservation Police Education Forms & Permits About

Home Fishing Private Pond Management Pond Management: Managing Fish Populations

Pond Management: Managing Fish Populations

The purpose of fish management is to provide good fishing. Pond owners must decide what they want from their pond and tailor their management to meet their goal(s). Ponds less than 1 acre in size are difficult to manage for bass and sunfish. For ponds larger than 1 acre, a largemouth bass/bluegill fishery is the most popular option for Virginia ponds. Other options for ponds larger than 1 acre may include managing for trophy bass, trophy bluegill or trout. Consult your local fisheries biologist to discuss them.
Harvesting

All ponds have a maximum weight of fish the pond can support. In unfertilized ponds, you should be able to harvest up to 40 pounds of adult bluegill (about 120 fish) and 10 pounds of adult bass (about 8 to 10 fish) per acre per year. In fertilized ponds, you can harvest 160 pounds of bluegill (600 to 700 fish) and 35 to 40 pounds of bass (30 to 35 fish) per acre per year.