Fall is a great time to adjust LMB populations. I think this is also a good time to collect RW data.
However, any time you have a good handle that competition is slowing growth OR soon will be slowing growth below the targeted growth goals, that is also a good time to thin a population. A good example is Lake8's pond. He stocked F1s at 1.5" of length in his 3/4 acre pond last year's 4th of July. He culled some in mid spring (IIRC) because he knew he had stocked more than required for optimum growth. He took some out BEFORE growth was limited by competition. Now, not even quite 1.5 years of age, he has fish breaching 3 lbs.
But then he is a victim of success. Can he get another 2.5 lbs of growth out of them next year? Probably not without thinning them (and now is the time to thin them) AND/OR feeding them supplemental forage.
Fall, IMHO is an exceptionally good time to prepare for the following year. The present condition of fish is the cumulative history of the prior 12 months. It's not a predictor of the next 12 months. Things change ... it's like what they say about investments, the past doesn't predict the future. Especially once you have examples of LMB > 18", you need Fall representation of forage in large quantities in the 1"-3" size size ranges. These will be the forage for large fish in the coming year. They need to grow to be optimum food next year. Also, they need to survive the smaller LMB in sufficient quantities to feed larger LMB. So, the point Bill made above about keeping standing weights below what the pond can carry are absolutely essential to support LMB standing weight and growth. Here I am speaking of the standing weights of adult forage fish that are too large for consumption.
Neglecting standing weights of forage fish adults will eventually lower the production of consumable forage below what is needed to sustain the targeted standing weight of LMB and their growth. This is because, a growing standing weight of adults squeezes out the carry available to YOY. The sword is double edged and it's a good idea to use both of them.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 09/18/25 09:27 AM. Reason: underline enhancements
