Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Old pond renovation

You have several reasonable options depending on your final goals for this pond.

Good numbers of LMB will eventually just about eliminate GSF because GSF are easy for LMB to catch. LMB will catch GSF easier compared to BG because GSF I think swim slower and tend to stay in shallower water than BG. LMB like hunting in shallow water. Stocking 8"-10" LMB and large adult BG 4"-6" will eventually in 3-5 years convert this pond into a basic BG-LMB fishery having the occasional rare large GSF.

Siphon system is good if you have a low area to operate and drain the water. Put a pencil to renting a 3" trash pump and cost of fuel and size and gph of pump compared to cost of $2700 for rotenone. You need to reasonably close calculate the water volume based of average pond depth/s. It will not take much money to kill a puddle of water that was once 1ac. Also there are construction contractors that have large 4"-6" dewatering pumps that could drain your pond. Also there are some farmers that have portable irrigation pumps. Maybe check for farmer names with your University Extension office for advice. Do your homework and Get quotes. Also for a puddle of water some here have used a high concentration of hydrated lime to kill fish in a small water volume after a draining.

Draining the pond would be an excellent time to fix the drain pipe problem. Drains in ponds are useful esp for a catfish pond - drain and seine fish. Maybe Plug drain and build a nice spillway. Or drain pond and rebuild the drain with PVC pipe. Several decent options here also. Do more homework.