Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations HSB and yellow perch

Getting Pond 1 back on track. WOW, Russ, very good question. As usual I think �it all depends�!
Here are my opinions as the beginning stages of "getting Pond 1 back on track".

What are the goals or what does �on track� mean for Pond 1? 1. Do we want an overall balanced fishery with most fish in the small to normal range? 2. Do we want a real good perch pond where we can catch and harvest truly large perch for several meals of fish each year? 3. Do we want a great HSB fishery?

NO; I do not think we can have all three in the same pond which is what most �beginners� will want out of this pond.

GOALS. It is all about goals and more importantly reasonable goals. Once we decide on the goals for the pond then we can start at �getting it back on track�. I think the main problem with Pond 1 is with the owner. He does not have a good REASONABLE goal for this pond, thus in my opinion, he has been haphazardly stocking and performing improper management. HOWEVER, the owner of Pond 1 does have a pond that literally erupts with tremendous surface activity when fish food hits the water. It is a real spectacle to see and an entertaining display !!!! Maybe this is all the owner wants; visual entertainment. Then he has met this goal. But he must want something else since he asked me about putting in crappie. First works out of my mouth were "what will they eat to get decent growth out of them?". The owner does not want any bgill since his family frequently swims in this pond and NO fish biting or nibbling on swimmers are allowed in the pond!.

The first main goal for a new pond owner or any pond owner, is to establish reasonable goals based on your limits and on what you have to work with.

Russ what would YOU like to see for a fishery in this pond? Then I will try to discuss how to achieve it.