Pond Boss Forums INTRO New Forum Member Introduction New here

Hi! I am newly registered here, though I've been lurking for a while. I am in south east Wisconsin. I own a 45 acre parcel that partially encompasses a 3 acre pond. The pond was dug summer of 2006 or 2007 as retention pond for a subdivision. My land covers approx 2/3s of the shoreline, there are 6 other waterfront lots on it, that are part of a larger subdivision development. Historically, my pond has had attempts at stocking/management made by homeowners. As far as I am aware now, no one except me will be attempting any fish management. That could change as housed are bought and sold. The current pond stocking situation is a growing LMB (possibly SMB-how do they do when mixed in a small pond?) numbers, and a pretty solid forage base of a few types of bluegills and sunfish. And, unfortunately, a pretty healthy population of common carp. We have worked at reducing the carp numbers, and will continue to do so. Seems like the bass are enjoying thier presence, as the ones I've caught are quite fat. I have been holding off on stocking minnows until I see that the carp are not keeping the bass fat. The other inhabitant of the pond is out Pudelpointer, Finley. She is pretty much in the pond sun up to sun down from ice out to when it freezes! And the kids love the ice rink I make on it in the winter.

The pond itself is 7/8ths unimproved shoreline, with willows and box elder hanging over, falling in and creating some habitat. There is a sewer type drain through the levee that limits water level. The shoreline is steep and firm enough that there is no emergent vegetation like cattails. Mostly native grasses growing right to the waters edge. The combination of carp and a pretty rocky bottom mean that we have very little submergent vegetation. I am an avid bass fisherman, as such, my goals for this pond will be action/numbers of bass, while keeping RW as high as possible, given the management limitations I will have, being partial owner.


I'll see if I can figure out how to share some pictures of our little slice of heaven, thanks for having me! The rest of the property is managed for trophy deer and turkeys (still working out the turkey thing!)

Welcome to the forum. Love the happy dog pic!

Is the pond only fished from the shoreline? Can/does anyone ever put in a boat?

One inexpensive fix that might help YOUR bass fishing is to add some structure offshore of your lot. That will help to concentrate the bass and help the bass more efficiently ambush their prey.

Lots of common carp will muddy the pond. The reduced light in the water column will hurt the production of the tiny food sources at the bottom of the food chain that eventually feed your bluegill and bass.

I would certainly take out every carp that you catch. Also, during the spawn it is sometimes quite easy to shoot carp with a bow and reel combo. (That should be legal in Wisconsin?)

At other times it may become easy to angle for carp. If you chum an area for a week with corn and doughballs, then you and some buddies/kids might be able to subsequently catch 30-40 big ones on a single good day.

Good luck on improving your pond!

This is a lovely pond!!

Regarding your question about Smallmouth.... In general, SMB populations will eventually decline when SMB are present with LMB. The LMB just seem to eventually outbreed and outcompete the SMB. So, if you want SMB for the long haul, you should stock them in some quantity every year, or every other year, or every few years.

Consider starting a feeding program which is an artificial way to boost almost all levels of the fish food chain. Another result of feeding is healthier, stronger spawns of various fish

There's another set of background information on this pond on the "Common Carp" thread, fyi.

Welcome Fintastixro, you've come to the right site. I'm also from SE Wisconsin and a member for years. I can tell you the information you will get here is first rate. Yes Carp shooting with bow and arrow is legal in Wisconsin. If you would place an ad looking for someone to shoot them I'm sure you would get plenty of interest. You already have good information posted here and I agree with getting every Carp out you can. Good luck on your adventure into pond managing!

Fintas said on the other thread that a certain person also living on the pond will not get down with bow fishing carp. Fintas posted other details about his situation on another thread too, Common Carp.