Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Fish trap

Target, small bass. 3 1/2 ac lake has become bass heavy and we can't get a boat in to electro shock and if we could I doubt the lake board would pay to do so. Subdivision lake surrounded by homes.

So, we're removing anything under 12" by fishing and I don't think we can keep up. So, what would yall do? NO poison.

You'd be surprised on how creative the companies that electroshock ponds are with getting a boat into them. I saw one company put a boat in a pond to spray for weeds using an ATV.

I have tried all sorts of traps. NEVER have I had a Largemouth Bass in a trap and only 1 Smallmouth Bass. Angling or electroshocking is your best bet.

Probably be a little challenge with that size lake, but the overpopulated bass are really aggressive on a hook, to the point you can almost hook a couple at a time, we have a pond over here close that is overpopulated and you can load a boat up fast with them, with just a rod and reel.

Most of the time when you reel one in there will be others coming along trying to steal whatever they think hes got, multiple times we had two on one topwater plug, both trying to get to it first.

Point is, at the right time, a couple people in a small boat, can make a pretty good dent in them.

I watched the Conservation Dept shock survey a pond for a friend of mine and it was a pathetic performance, their rattling boat and rod contraption didn't float enough fish to have any reasonable idea of how many fish were in the lake, I don't think they floated one crappie and I caught fine stringers of them in that lake many many times, and the few bass they floated were no wheres close to indicative to the amount of nice bass that pond held.

I just sorta deducted the whole shocking thing as a joke, compared to the stories Ive heard of floating a huge portion of the ponds contents with a electroshock rig. these guys had a noisy generator on a aluminum boat clanging rods and contraption, by the time they pulled it up to a bank to try to shock some bass, all the fish done cleared out to the far side of the pond, long before they got to them, they just got a few of the slowest fish.

I know it's a challenge to control bass. We've taken out 139 this year to date. I'll keep yall informed when I start seeing more over 12" than under. Lots of 6"!!

I would start making some "catch records". I know it is a pain in the hiney when you are catching bass, but it will make your culling project much more professional. You may need to read a couple of threads about "relative weights".

I don't believe you can solve this problem in a single fishing season. However, if you have catch records over time, then you can effectively evaluate the proper next step to reach your goals for the lake.

If you start a new thread with your results at the end of this year, there are several expert members that can help optimize your culling plan for next year.


P.S. Does the lake board allow "outsiders" to fish, or is it homeowners only? It is easiest to have kids help you cull bass when you have tons of hungry 6-8" fish. If allowed, you could have some boy scouts work on their fishing merit badge and have them help cull (under your supervision with their scoutmaster).

If not allowed, do the homeowners ever have a block party, BBQ, 4th of July celebration etc.? You could put something in the "newsletter" for a kid fishing derby that day and have all of the "fishing" parents help out. With enough kids, you might catch another 150 bass just on that day.

Have fun improving your fish balance!

Get a scale if you don't have one and weigh the total pounds of fish per day that are removed. The management is based on pounds of bass removed, not number of mouths.

Exclusive access to property owners and guests. With 3 1/2 ac it doesnt take much to pressure these fish. As to culling, my understanding is that a good rule to seek balance is when over 12" fish equal under 12" fish. I'm not there yet. And I have kept records for years. We simply missed last year's fishing with a severe drought that lowered the lake considerably, couldn't move my boat for months and then hunting season started.

I didn't think the fish trap would work.

Great advice so far. What do your catch records indicate for numbers of LMB removed PER ACRE in prior years??

HOA angler parties are great for a no public access water body. As incentives,,,, offer prizes for the most bass caught, smallest caught and largest caught. As well suggested, Catch Records are a necessity for best final analysis results and evaluations. Prespawn angling with removals can be beneficial.
Removing numerous bass per acre results in more forage items as less competition for food and then better growth rates or remaining bass. As the average bass sizes increase, in the future you could increase the slot limit to removing all less than 13" and then based later results all LMB less than 14". As the LMB become more hook smart, more creative angling methods improves catch the results.

Generally we remove roughly 50-60 bass per acre, all under 12". Last year was different, drought conditions kept the lake down and we just couldn't use the lake for recreational purposes. Certainly different start to this year! Looking forward to a wet summer for a change.