I am finally finding time to reconnect on the Pond Boss forum after a couple of years. My first search was forums related to Paddlefish.
I help manage lakes at a resort in eastern MO where paddlefish were stocked at 4-6 per acre for future harvest by the fish provided. Paddlefish were stocked in 2002, 2004 and 2009. They were put in any lake that had drivable dam. In total 39 ponds and lakes, ranging from 2 to 236 acres were stocked with just short of 3600 paddlefish.
The fish provider has not honored his contract to remove these fish after 6-8 years. Paddlefish range from 40 to 90 pounds. My daughter snagged one two years ago that was 39 pounds. Our largest lake had 1300+ stocked. Only 120 removed after years of complaining. Imagine the biomass impact to entire lake.
Our professional fish managers have seen a significant impact on our forage basis due to lack of zooplankton. Very small YOY recruitment. We need these monsters removed.
The only way to remove them is by netting with large gill nets. These gill nets are not selective and we have seen catfish and bass die in these nets.
Paddlefish are neat to see swimming in clear water but I always wonder if the water clarity is due to their efficiency at eating.
I agree with TJ above that they provide no benefit to your pond.
