Originally Posted by esshup
Originally Posted by SetterGuy
Originally Posted by Theo Gallus
Remind us, what spawning structures have you placed and maintained for the YP and SMB?
I’ve added branches for the YP to lay ribbons in over the years, but most of those haven’t worked. The YP seemed to prefer laying ribbons in the leaves. .

YP don't use branches to lay their eggs on if there are a lot of openings between the branches. Think of a Christmas tree that is 1-2 years old or a tumbleweed. Once the egg skein is on the bottom of the pond the eggs on the bottom don't get enough O2 to allow them to hatch.

I’ve been taking pictures of YP egg ribbons for 10+ years. In all types of branches and laying on the leaves right next to branches. My YP apparently lay them anywhere. I thought cedar branches would be best, but they seem to prefer the leaves. Who’d have thought?
Any idea how many LMB I should stock into this 1 ac pond? I was going to try and get them today.
Thx

12 yr old pond, 1 ac, 15' deep.
RES, YP, GS, FHM (no longer), HBG (decreasing), SMB, and HSB (only two have been seen in 5 yrs)
I think that's about all I should put in my little pond.
Otter attack in 2023.