"I estimate that on the low side (higher catch rates) that you went from 21 LMB/acre three years ago to 5 LMB/acre. That's a difference of 16 LMB/acre. So, have you removed around 48 LMB? " wrote jpsdad

You are some relation to Carnac the Magnificent? I would like to understand how you figured that out.

I have removed 50 LMB & 7 brown bullheads RWs also at 75%. During the past 3 years, the number of YOY LMB that I have seen or caught, I can count on one hand. I do believe in the 80/20 rule. My little corner of the pond has the most structure & it is where the BGs are fed. hence sooner or later the LMB more to this area. My gut says that there may be less than 5 LMB/acre now.

What I am now seeing & what is supposed to be happening, the two just don't make good sense. I have a much larger population of > 8" quality BGs than I ever had of quality LMB. Removing more LMB no longer made good sense as I began to wonder if there was no longer an abundance of LMB to remove. Something else appears wrong. After reading & re-reading PondDragon's post & the Must Read post I began to wonder if excessive large forage biomass is the problem.

The biomass (LMB & BnBH) that I removed is now turned into BG Biomass? If I continue as I have I will have a BG only pond with few or no LMB?

What is the most effective size forage to remove? All BG caught >6" ? Males or females? Keep large Males for greater survival of fry & fingerlings. Stop when I am catching BGs 40% <6" & 60% > 6"?