I have read ALOT over the past year on the subject of bluegill harvest. I've formulated a plan for our situation here in South Mississippi and I'd like to hear some opinions.
To begin, the goal of our pond(3 acres) is to cater to the bass.
My plan moving forward is to harvest bluegill during the month of August. This will allow for a maximum spawn in May, June, and July. Once August hits, I plan on having a bluegill fish fry with some of the larger fish(the ones my bass can't fit in their mouths).
I feel like the timing and intent of this harvest will free up more pellets/food for the intermediate bluegill and not have a negative impact on the bluegill spawn. It will also lessen the overall load of the pond during those hot/dry August-October months.
Bass harvest is currently at 0% because they've only been around for 9 months. Next year, bass harvest would begin with relative weights being considered once a month from June - November.
I would be skeptical of removing the largest BG in your pond if your goal is give your LMB every chance you can. I think it will create a gap in your food chain.
How many BG do you plan on removing? How large are those BG? How large are your LMB?
I would be skeptical of removing the largest BG in your pond if your goal is give your LMB every chance you can. I think it will create a gap in your food chain.
How many BG do you plan on removing? How large are those BG? How large are your LMB?
No more than 20-25; enough to have a good mess of fillets. Currently, we've got bluegill of all sizes because we gave them nearly a year head start before adding predators.
In October, largemouth bass would be approaching a year old.
One other thing to consider, pond management rules are always shifting! When I first joined Pond Boss, I thought I would just get the "recipe" from the experts and then follow it very strictly. Only after more reading did I gain enough knowledge to realize every pond is unique and populations can change rapidly from the initial conditions, AND be heavily influenced by external factors.
In your pond, you may not want big BG right now, but you will probably need big BG in a few years to keep your big bass fat and happy.
I would also consider catching a few fish well before August. Sample some BG this spring and in the early summer. Keep notes of their relative weights and post to Pond Boss. You can either throw them all back or maybe just cull a few of the scrawny ones. I don't think stressing a few BG will effect your reproduction rates.
Either way, the info will help the experts give you better guidance.
One other thing to consider, pond management rules are always shifting! When I first joined Pond Boss, I thought I would just get the "recipe" from the experts and then follow it very strictly. Only after more reading did I gain enough knowledge to realize every pond is unique and populations can change rapidly from the initial conditions, AND be heavily influenced by external factors.
This is solid advice...let the fish tell you what they need and realize that each year harvest and/or supplementation could look a little different.
I never harvest my original stocked fish. They get to live to life expectancy. The succeeding generations are the ones managed.
I would not harvest my large BG. Harvest the smaller ones. Harvesting the largest BG has several negative consequences. It reduces the population potential as the larger fish have more eggs and better guarding potential (i.e. better reproduction success). Harvesting the large BG males encourages stunting as smaller BG males (who would normally not spawn due to dominance issues) use their reserves/energy in spawning and reduce their size/growth potential. This leads to multiple generations of small slow growing male BG and stunting potential.
Funny i was just watching one of Pond Boss Bob Lusks videos today where he was answering questions about culling BG and other topics. He suggests throwing back the most aggressive BG . Anyway good watch here.
.gif)
