So my pond is about 1.6 acres and located west of Buffalo near the New York/ Pennsylvania border' I have very little cover and what I have is artificial. I'll be removing some grass carp, so the vegetation should increase a bit this summer. I've thrown in about 15 Honey Hole Reeds, maybe 4-5 Honey Hole Shrubs and 6 Honey Hole Trees. (The general advice I have been working with is to avoid adding organic matter like young spruce and fir.)
My ideal pond would produce 1.5 - 4 lb fish for eating. Since the surface water temps get around 80F in August, I've ruled out trout. YP were ruled out because I'd prefer something larger. CCs don't appeal to me and Crappie seem difficult to manage well. Walleye seem possible, but I'm under the impression that the pond isn't quite deep or cool enough.
Max depth is just over 10.5' and there is a fair layer of muck. I have no aeration, though I plan to introduce that this year or next when I can get electricity to the pond.. My next project is to redo the outlet (which is collapsing) and to create a new inlet. During heavy rains, the pond draws water from a tiny creek. I'm going to change that because I can see quite a bit of silt builds up during these minor floods. Instead, I'll be creating a forebay or settling pond from which I draw clearer, cleaner water. When I finally get some power, I'll probably pump water into the forebay as a natural filter.
I have CCs, but I don't believe they're reproducing. I'll be fishing them out. Two years ago, I stocked with 50 LMB that were 10"-12". Last year, I saw evidence of larger, older LMB that must have already been there. I'd say I have quite a few 13-15" LMB and ample evidence of spawning.
My goals have shifted, but I have been going for 'lots of hungry, skinny LMB' so I can harvest >1.5 lb blue gill and 1-3 pound LMB. HOWEVER...
The possibility of Saugeye seems really, really appealing. I'd love to have a tasty sport fish that can easily get over 3 lbs. It also seems like they can apply the necessary pressure to my sunfish to ensure >1 lb bluegill.
I'm definitely concerned about LMB predation and, if the advice is favorable for Saugeye, will work to harvest them heavily. Because I want big bluegill, I imagine I'll harvest any LMB over 16" and more aggressively than that if I stock w/ SE.
I am curious if LMB and SE prefer different habitat. Obviously it's just 1.6 acres, but wonder if the LMB will tend to the shore and brush while the SE stay in deeper water.
