John,

Given the number of ponds that you have you might give consideration to a LMB "rookery". The standing weights of LMB only ponds can range between 60 and 100 lbs per acre. They can reproduce at 5 oz (~9") and if you fish it hard to ensure to that fish > 11" are always removed this scenario could produce many sizable LMB fingerlings annually (4" to 8"). Juvenile BG compete heavily with O-year LMB and significantly slow their growth and reduce survival. There is a good recent paper on this subject. The RW of your fingerlings will be good provided you harvest and transfer them frequently (or seine annually transferring all but those needed for reproduction). An LMB pond might provide a steady supply of LMB fingerlings to ensure your BG are controlled in your other ponds.

These past few posts are diverging from the context of the thread. I think it would be great if you might record your Trophy BG Management efforts in a thread in the "Evaluating and Adjusting Fish Populations" section.


Last edited by jpsdad; 06/24/18 08:56 AM.
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