I have a large power right-away going through my property that once had a small pond at the bottom maintained by beaver. The beaver eventually left and/or went missing by some means and their damn eventually collapsed and the pond became a small swamp.
Due to power company clearing neglect and messes, I took action, complained and they then came to clear and cleaned up my complaints.
Working with the company that did the cleanup, we came up with a plan to reclaim the pond. Follows is a pic of swamp left behind and in existence for at least 15 yrs and the overgrown right-away, top center of the photo.
Here is the mow prep for the pond. You'll notice the machine are avoiding the "swamp" (bottom of the picture). To be honest I never thought the pond would absorb all that area up to the bank in the back but it did!
Excerpt from Robert Crais' "The Monkey's Raincoat:" "She took another microscopic bite of her sandwich, then pushed it away. Maybe she absorbed nutrients from her surroundings."
Last night's tour around the pond ...... The ponds size is estimated at 1.7 acres. After construction, we received plenty of rain and it filled a bunch pretty quick, still short of the overflow. Pond relies on rainfall, numerous small springs, and over flow from a neighbors very small pond. We're currently in a bit of a drought, we've only got 1" of rain in the last 22 days and the pond has lost some level. Rain projection for the next week is not good either. The deepest part is at the over flow at approximately 11' and level gradually declines from natural slope going right. One positive is the bullfrog came in and the tadpole population has exploded.
Excerpt from Robert Crais' "The Monkey's Raincoat:" "She took another microscopic bite of her sandwich, then pushed it away. Maybe she absorbed nutrients from her surroundings."
Most probably bream and bluegill. I have another neighbor with a very nice pond, she’s gonna start netting next summer for bluegill. I’m gonna check the temp and maybe get some FHM started.
Most probably bream and bluegill. I have another neighbor with a very nice pond, she’s gonna start netting next summer for bluegill. I’m gonna check the temp and maybe get some FHM started.
One of the main bait wholesalers around here (that sells fatheads and shiners to bait stores) is called WIllow Springs Bait, ph. 814-667-3754. You can call them and see when the deliver local to you and request that they bring some poundage of fatheads, and them meet them at the local shop.
Of course this is your call, but I'd be putting bluegill in now, and you could start feeding them and get growth clear into November, and even maybe December.
Excerpt from Robert Crais' "The Monkey's Raincoat:" "She took another microscopic bite of her sandwich, then pushed it away. Maybe she absorbed nutrients from her surroundings."
Most probably bream and bluegill. I have another neighbor with a very nice pond, she’s gonna start netting next summer for bluegill. I’m gonna check the temp and maybe get some FHM started.
One of the main bait wholesalers around here (that sells fatheads and shiners to bait stores) is called WIllow Springs Bait, ph. 814-667-3754. You can call them and see when the deliver local to you and request that they bring some poundage of fatheads, and them meet them at the local shop.
Of course this is your call, but I'd be putting bluegill in now, and you could start feeding them and get growth clear into November, and even maybe December.
Checked the temperature tonight per pyrometer, 69F was the average. It’s suppose to warm, still think it’s a good idea?
69 degree water doesn't bother me, but you have to take the time to acclimate the fish by equating the water temps before stocking.
When you say 'bream,' what do you mean?
Excerpt from Robert Crais' "The Monkey's Raincoat:" "She took another microscopic bite of her sandwich, then pushed it away. Maybe she absorbed nutrients from her surroundings."
69 degree water doesn't bother me, but you have to take the time to acclimate the fish by equating the water temps before stocking.
When you say 'bream,' what do you mean?
I lived in Loozyana for 20 yrs (PA native), and moved back in 98. Bream is a species of southern bluegill. I am not aware but they may be temperature intolerant up here.
I’m not unfamiliar with acclimation. I kept saltwater aquariums, and bred corals and anenomies for a couple decades.
It's not exactly clear what all "bream" is but we believe it to be a more general term for bluegill and other sunfish species used by southerners. Many times, "perch" is used in the same fashion by southerners, however, Yellow Perch is a distinct and different species.
When you do get to stocking bluegill, I would recommend just getting pure strain Northern bluegill for now. You can always add some kind of hybrid bluegill down the line, or you may end up with some hybrids just due to Mother Nature. As such, it's important that you know the difference if you're going to get fish from your neighbor's pond.
You probably also want some Redear Sunfish for snail control.
Excerpt from Robert Crais' "The Monkey's Raincoat:" "She took another microscopic bite of her sandwich, then pushed it away. Maybe she absorbed nutrients from her surroundings."
It's not exactly clear what all "bream" is but we believe it to be a more general term for bluegill and other sunfish species used by southerners. Many times, "perch" is used in the same fashion by southerners, however, Yellow Perch is a distinct and different species.
When you do get to stocking bluegill, I would recommend just getting pure strain Northern bluegill for now. You can always add some kind of hybrid bluegill down the line, or you may end up with some hybrids just due to Mother Nature. As such, it's important that you know the difference if you're going to get fish from your neighbor's pond.
You probably also want some Redear Sunfish for snail control.
Your very first pond task is to get that bare dirt side of the pond vegetated so it sprouts and starts holding the surface soil in place before the fall rains that will wash and erode lots of dirt and sediment into that side of the pond. That unvegetated hill side can develop deep eroded gullies channeling dirt into the pond. The eroded gullies will be hard to fill in and plant with cover grass like materials.
Because you are located in western PA you do not have to stock the standard bluegill(BG) - largemouth bass (LMB) option. You mention that - "I have another neighbor with a very nice pond, she’s gonna start netting next summer for bluegill." I would be VERY careful using your neighbor's pond fish for stocking your pond, IF you want a good quality fishery. Her BG could be other types or a mixture of sunfish species. some could be hybrid sunfish types. Some would need to be caught by angling and correctly identified. We on the forum could help ID sunfish types using some pictures.
Do diligent homework before adding any fish besides fathead minnows (FHM). FHM are the basis starter forage fish for all ponds.
My advice for this fall is as Sunil mentioned above - maybe stock some FHM. Since it will soon be Fall,,,,, ,all stocked fish in Fall will soon go into winter where little if any growth occurs due to low water temperatures of PA. Cold winters and ice cover are the hardest season for pond fish. No growth happens and little fat is, has been accumulated, thus numerous fall stocked fish do not survive harsh winters.
Use the Fall period to get the bare dirt planted and vegetated. Use Winter to do diligent homework to decide pond goals and for the best fish to stock based on your pond goals. Learn about the various fish species available to West PA and how they perform as pond fish and their pros and cons. Lots to know about stocking fish. Some fish species require more checking and monitoring of their annual numbers and balance to produce a higher quality fishery experience. If your fishery pond goals are just a general fishing pond for the occasional catching of a few fish regardless of size of fish caught then BG - LMB can work very well.
If the goals are for having a unique, uncommon fishery, that can definitely be done. Fish such as yellow perch(YP) & smallmouth bass(SMB), walleye(WE) could be added as a bonus fish. Hybrid striped bass(HSB) are another option as predator in most any fish combo. Unless you like to eat catfish leave them out. Here on the PB Forum they often talk about pumpkinseed sunfish, HOWEVER few if any fish farm sells them. Very hard to buy for pond stocking. Redear sunfish being a more southern climate fish might survive in your pond. Learn about hybrid sunfish - know their pros and cons. They can be a good pond fish for having aggressive bigger size easy to catch panfish, although they do have some negative attributes.
Then when fishery goals for the pond are decided, then stock appropriate fish in Spring (Apr-June). Then if needed in Fall maybe complete the stocking package plan.
Learn about: growing LMbass, bluegill, carrying capacity, what fish need for good growth - feeding fish w/ pros and cons, beneficial pond plants, algae / weed problems and control, pond aeration is it needed – pros and cons,,,,, plus lots more topics in the Common Pond Q&A Archives.
The bare dirt is soon to be raked, seeded and hay mulch laid down. Contractor is a bit busy right now but it’s in the plan and paid for …..
No fishery plans, just something for grandkids to have fun with. Fish weren’t a priority for my build. The scenery and wildlife was enough for me to invest in the pond.
I will do my due diligence, I’m more than open to waiting till Spring. Frankly, this late in the year is why I’m reluctant to do any stocking.
One of the main bait wholesalers around here (that sells fatheads and shiners to bait stores) is called WIllow Springs Bait, ph. 814-667-3754. You can call them and see when the deliver local to you and request that they bring some poundage of fatheads, and then meet them at the local shop.
Of course this is your call, but I'd be putting bluegill in now, and you could start feeding them and get growth clear into November, and even maybe December.[/quote]
What are the bluegill going to eat? The advantage of stocking them now?
Bluegill will eat fatheads, especially fathead fry and juvenile fatheads.
Of course, they'll also eat bugs.
If you implement a feeding program, bluegill will take to that very quickly. That's why I mentioned that you have several months of bluegill growth you could get before winter truly kicks in here in Western PA.
I did read that a fishery wasn't your primary goal for the pond, so you may not be interested in this aspect.
Excerpt from Robert Crais' "The Monkey's Raincoat:" "She took another microscopic bite of her sandwich, then pushed it away. Maybe she absorbed nutrients from her surroundings."
The deepest part is at the over flow at approximately 11' and level gradually declines from natural slope going right. One positive is the bullfrog came in and the tadpole population has exploded.
![[Linked Image from lh6.ggpht.com]](https://lh6.ggpht.com/_6_-SgakQ9co/S3Nx1jGAJWI/AAAAAAAABKU/DJIy4ZnF1t0/s800/I_subscribe.jpg)
