Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Evaluating New Pond and New Fish

Boon,

I can only say "Why the heck not?" We are learning what Northern LMB can do at your location in low density and with ample ad libitum forage. This question has never been answered before and the facts are that we just don't know. To be sure, it depends on consumption and there are lots of factors that can affect the supply of optimum forage and then there is how much each individual will eat as a matter of satiation. To grow maximally, there must needs be forage at optimum lengths available at all times so that your LMB can eat a surplus of their maintenance needs daily. We just don't understand what ad libitum consumption is for Northern LMB at your location. Heck, we may not understand that even from your experience because how can we know for sure they were able to consume at their maximum potential every day? I do think that your experience as it plays out has the potential to redefine and expand what we think is possible.

Below is chart of your LMB and the model's projection based on a KC location. The growth is function of consumption and temperature plays a role in determining what that maximum consumption is. Assumed, is that each individual LMB consumes as much as it is "individually" inclined to and the model seeks to model growth that is consistent with the average consumption for the population. I found that most of your samples lie within two bands that reflect daily consumption of 5% in excess of model and 5% in deficit of the model. 5% sounds like a lot but as a proportion of LMB body weight it doesn't exceed 1% of LMB body weight even at consumption rates of 20% of body weight daily. This IS the power of compounding. The difference between fast and slow growers are relatively small proportionate differences in consumption.



The model estimated 1 1/8 lbs average weight on 4/1/25 with 1.32 lbs at 5% over model. I did reduce my estimate of average a little above. Part of the reason is because the model eventually way overestimates reasonable growth. It diverges and I am not sure where this would take place. The adjustment I thought would ensure I was close without being over. Even so, the model may be too restrictive in terms of winter consumption. We will see. Why don't you just blow the numbers out?!!! Will be fun to see.

I didn't go past 4/1/25 with the model for a number of reasons. One is that I think the model has limited domain and is practical only for the first year (I give the birth date of 4/1/24 for your fingerlings stocked 5/31/24). The other is that I wasn't for sure how spawn would affect growth. I expect a period of decline and I am very interested in learning what to expect to including the time to recover weight.