Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations BG data

Thought I would share some data on my BG. For background, these are native born (i.e. not stocked by me) to my pond, which is 39 yrs old and highly eutrophic. I've added aeration (2016) and feed Optimal BG twice daily (2 sec throw) from a small TH hanging feeder. I have added some small rock/gravel for better bedding, as well as some brush piles. My thinking is to pump up my BG production for my LMB (added in fall 2017).
Here is the data I've collected for 2019, all from the last 30 days:

Species sex Length Weight Standard W Relative W
Bluegill male 9.10 0.44 0.64 68.28%
Bluegill male 8.40 0.44 0.49 89.03%
Bluegill female 7.40 0.33 0.32 101.66%
Bluegill female 6.80 0.26 0.25 106.02%
Bluegill male 7.30 0.30 0.31 96.68%
Bluegill male 6.80 0.26 0.25 106.02%
Bluegill male 8.00 0.44 0.42 104.67%
Bluegill male 7.50 0.33 0.34 97.23%
Bluegill male 8.20 0.40 0.46 87.67%
Bluegill female 7.00 0.24 0.27 88.89%
Bluegill male 7.20 0.30 0.30 101.21%
Bluegill male 7.70 0.35 0.37 94.51%
Bluegill male 8.20 0.46 0.46 100.82%
Bluegill male 7.20 0.33 0.30 111.33%
Bluegill female 7.00 0.22 0.27 81.48%
Bluegill male 7.67 0.33 0.37 90.27%
Bluegill male 7.15 0.26 0.29 89.76%

Sorry the table is a bit packed in, I couldn't get the spacing to post correctly. Also, sex is my opinion only, based on ear tab size and coloration.

Here is a typical male BG from my pond:

Beautiful fish! Your relative weights appear to be in good standing too. Do you think the relative weights will go down if you increase BG production?

Wow Doc, Those are some fantastic colors on that fish!! My water stays so muddy all the time and makes my fish "white" I forget how pretty they are supposed to be. Great job!!

I don't know how much credit I can take for the BG's looks, but I think it's related to the Optimal. IIRC one of the mods pointed out that fish coloration tends to improve with feeding? Either way, I also think the BG is a darn handsome fish! If they could only grow to 4-5 pounds, they'd be even more fun to catch! I still get a kick out of how they spin (swim in tight circles) when fighting.

RE: WR reduction with boosted numbers. I'm leary about that, but hope to counter the increase in food/forage eaters with my increase in numbers and size of apex predators (LMB). I also have found my plans and mother nature's plans don't always (or even that often) mesh up. But I still am having fun 'managing' my pond.

Thanks Flame! BTW, I pay close attention when you Texans are swapping LMB catching ideas, and jig types. I am a big time rookie in that department. FWIW, my best lure for my pond is a teeny little jig called a Mini Mite. I can catch any fish in my pond on it, especially the white color. I took that same jig to Manitoba, Canada last spring, and caught a 44 inch northern pike, a 24 inch WE and a 12 inch YP..on the same white mini mite! Jigging over the side in the same spot! I lucked out on the pike, because she was hooked in the bony edge of her lip, so wasn't sawing on my line.

With only a few outliers, your WR data reflects a successful BG fishery, well done. Now that you have some experience measuring WR, you will know a low WR fish upon sight - these are likely non feed trained fish or some other factor[s] contributing to their poor performance. I recommend you construct a floating cage and collect poor performers - I can teach you how to repurpose these fish to increase your LMB condition simultaneously removing biomass and easing your carrying capacity. Plus, it's a blast! Ping me, let's chat.

PS: That's a beautiful photo of your male BG...colors are outstanding and body condition looks good. Well done.

TJ

Thanks, TJ! I will.

From my old tropical fish/aquarium days...I can tell you that diet has a big influence on color. The cheaper foods would work, but the higher end stuff would make the fish pop with color.

What scale do you use to weigh the fish? Ive been wanting an accurate scale to use for BG as well as LMB. The typical ones sold at BPS/Cabelas are pretty wonky and seem terribly inaccurate. Thank you

I use this one:

I either hang an ice cream bucket from the hook, or a small net (from the handle lanyard), and tare it to zero.

Thank you!