Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose Managing Existing Pond?

All the "perch' pictures are hybrid bluegill in various stages of hybridization (as in different generations). LMB from current pictures are abundant enough and probably big enough to be controlling the crappie numbers. HBG produce fewer fry than BG. So from data so far,,,, it appears to me that there is not enough HBG(sunfish) reproduction and overall pond productivity causing limited forage to produce more fish biomass thus indicating or contributing to low fish numbers and low angler catch numbers. LMB and crappie are more of a predator than creating or serving as forage food items. From the LMB pictures the LMB appear to be at a lower than optimal RW relative weight (less plumpness & around or less than 80-85) this also indicates reduced forage food density, i.e. weak food chain and/or food web. Having more species of pellet eating fish and having a more prolific pellet eating fish species should noticeably help increase in food chain and more fish for anglers.

Also having hook smart fish I think is also contributing to lower catch numbers. This is a stronger possibility especially if all the fish in the pictures were catch and release(C&R). C&R and the more frequent C&R is practiced, the longer the angler hours of each episode, the lower the fish species density, and the smaller the water body all contribute to making hook shy/smart fish and to lower fish caught per hour (CPUE catch per unit effort).

Also if you do some fishing with a smaller baited wormed hook (sz10 maybe 8), it will provide some insight into what types of smaller fish (3"-6") are present. This info helps determine what sizes are in the forage base. Minnow traps and beach seines(10ft to 30ft) are also good management tools for getting this info.