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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 3
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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 3 |
So I bought 17 acres with a small (.25 to .4 acre) pond that was stocked with GESF. The first year, I could catch small fish, usually on the first cast or at least see several small fish chase the bait. For the last year it has been very dry, the pond is not dry but has shrunk considerably. I am down maybe 8 feet from where it was in the spring two years ago. I have made a few trips over the last year and I no longer see any fish chase the lure, no bites. I am thinking my fish have died off. I don't think GESF was a great first choice for stocking so I am not that disappointed. I am thinking catfish for the next round, I can set up a feeder if needed. The tank gets seasonal runoff but it has been a very dry year.
Thoughts?
Jack
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,807 Likes: 340
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,807 Likes: 340 |
Might be a good time to use lime to pH shock the pond and be sure to be starting with a clean slate. Might also be a good time to see if there are any leaks that you can plug. My experience with channel catfish is that they are surprisingly sensitive to low oxygen, at least when they get big. Had a winterkill a while back, and that was the only species killed off. LMB and BG repopulated.
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Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 461 Likes: 16
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Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 461 Likes: 16 |
I would like to echo RAH's comments about treating for leaks to help since rain is scarce
Im going to ask a lot of questions, but only because I'm clueless
5-20 Acres in Florida. Bass/Tilapia/Bowfin/Gator
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Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,156 Likes: 77
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Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,156 Likes: 77 |
If you haven't done so, you should put a measuring stake in to see how much you loose per day.
Bob
I Subscribe To Pond Boss
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 29,788 Likes: 1295
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent  Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 29,788 Likes: 1295 |
What the heck is a GESF??
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,555 Likes: 411
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,555 Likes: 411 |
Jack, what part of Texas? A lot of this stuff is regional dependent. If you're short on rain, we just might be neighbors. Calling it a tank sounds like West Texas.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP Grandpa
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