Originally Posted by FishinRod
Thanks jpsdad.

I knew there was no "perfect" strategy to beat the birds, I just wanted to optimize at the design stage.

I didn't realize that bird predation was insignificant for a forage pond. Good reproductive conditions can just overwhelm the predation losses!

Some fish farms in Arkansas see fish losses to birds in the $100,000.00+ range.

Cormorants catch fish under water. They can eat a pound of fish per bird per day. Pelicans are a problem in hatchery ponds too. Since all the birds that predate on fish are known to be active at night if there is enough moonlight, you may not be awake when the birds come in to feed.

www.hoosierpondpros.com

[Linked Image from lh6.ggpht.com]
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3/4 to 1 1/4 ac pond LMB, SMB, PS, BG, RES, CC, YP, Bardello BG, (RBT & Blue Tilapia - seasonal).