I'm using this old post to ask a question concerning stress to fish. My question keys off of Bill's comment noted above. "Overcrowded conditions .............. cause stress to shorten life spans."

One of my projects this year will involve the partial draining of my BG pond. Amendments to fish structure and the enlargement of the "slit collection pool" will be the focus projects.

The stream feeding this pond, in an average year, ceases flow around the beginning of June. During the summer months, it will produce a flow after a day of rain or a good thunderstorm. In a hot/dry summer, the pond has lost 10-12 inches from evaporation. Average depth of the pond is 10' and I would like to lower the level 4-5'. Hopefully the work to complete the projects would emcompass two days. If possible, I may try to seine some of the young BG while the water is down.

The timing of the project will center around my contractors schedule but lets take worse case and say the pond is drained in June, and does not return to full pool till the fall rains hit(september time frame). I'd like to hear opinions on what, if any, stress problems you guys think may occur with my fish during this time. The pond is 0.15 acres, with 80-90 7" BG, some young BG from last years spawn and a few LMB.


Russ