Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Muddy water Does suspended clay change fish coloration?

Seven weeks ago, I did initial stocking of my pond with 200 BG/100 HBG/100 RES and 10lb FHM. The panfish were listed as 3-4" long and definitely closer to three inches than four.

Yesterday I decided to go see if I could way-too-early catch any on a piece of a nightcrawler, and caught three bluegill that were noticeably larger than when stocked, full credit to Optimal Junior.

All three bluegill, along with two creek chub caught that I fished out of a small hole in a dried up stream last year and put in the pond when it was only 18" deep, have their colors substantially muted compared to what they originally were.



Pond was dug just last July, is maybe 90% of full pool, and a drought led to difficulty getting ground cover established last fall so there's a LOT of suspended clay. Grass is coming along (still a work in process along banks...) and I understand the pond may settle out in a year or two, but my plan is to rip-rap the downwind waterline in the next month or two and possibly try alum/lime to accelerate the clearing process in late summer or early fall.

Would the suspended clay cause the colors to be so muted on the fish? If so, I presume that'll resolve once water clarity improves?

Thanks!!!

Muddy water equals pale fish. Clear water yields darker colored fish. Fish adjust their color based on water color.

Thank you Bob, I thought that would be the case but wanted to ask those with more experience.

I need to get on rocking my shoreline...

Get yourself a black or dark plastic 5 gallon bucket. Put some pond water in it, catch a fish and put it in the bucket. Then pull it out about 5 minutes later. The fish will have completely changed colors. Will be a lot darker. Do it in a white bucket and the fish will still be pretty pale.

I have found when transporting fish from pond to pond a black vs white bucket makes lots of difference. In the black bucket the fish are much more docile and less stressed. The black bucket that is dark inside seems to calm them.

Gulp Alive waxies on a 1/64 oz jig head are great for catching small (and large) BG and 4" SMB

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