Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations How Many BG can a LMB/CC Eat Per Day?

On average, how many 2" to 3" BG will a 3-lb LMB eat per day? Also, how many of the (approx) same size BG will an (approx) 2-Lb CC eat per day? I have a very healthy BG population, 2 acre pond, 18' deep, with (for this year anyway) 85 LMB 1 to 3 pounders, and 150 or more CC, average 8" and growing. I am trying to determine how healthy to keep the BG population with auto-feeding pellets without keeping up the (now) over-population of BG, since I put the LMB and CC in partially to keep the BG numbers controlled. Along the same lines, with this information, how fast can I expect my LMB and CC to grow in a season in Southern Oregon?

Be aware that given the choice, a 3 lbs LMB (circa 18") would probably prefer to eat 5"-6" BG.

Those bass should spawn this year - then the resulting little LMB will really latch on to your BG overpopulation over the next couple of years.

I doubt that 2 lbs CC will make a dent in the BG population, especially if you're feeding and they can get pellets.

Based on my climate (I think yours is probably better for fish growth), many pellet fed 8" CC will double in length (to a nice cleaning and eating size) by the end of one warm season. After two years of feeding, I suspect you would have some serious numbers of 3 to 4 pounders.

I will let the big bass guys estimate LMB growth in such a target rich environment.

Thanks TG. That is pretty exciting news! I assume that the answer includes feeding the little monsters (BG) as much as they can eat for the next so many years is a good thing then? In other words, since growing big LMB and CC is my main food goal, I can't provide them with too many BG, right? BTW, I have many BG that will completely fill my open hand, and I'm a pretty large guy. I think the LMB will have big smiles when the feeding season gets going. I think I'll wait another year to start eating the CC. I like LARGE fillets...

It is hard to predict how many 2"-3" BG a 3 lb largemouth will eat per day. 1. Most predators are binge feeders and often will not eat every day. Feeding activity is tied to prevailing conditions and often weather related. 2. Vulnerability and availability of prey will likely have a big influence on how many forage fish a LMB can catch in one day. 3. Individual LMB likely have different abilities to catch prey items. Some are not doubt better than others, similar to humans and other animals. Survival of the fittest is rule No.1 in nature. Not all LMB are crated equal.

My guess is typically a LMB, if successful, will eat 5% to 10% of their body weight on the day that they are feeding. This might be as high as 30% or more of their body weight if they were lucky to catch an extra large sized prey item (10"-12") such as another bass, a large perch, a trout, maybe a carp or bullfrog. If a 3 lb bass ate 10% of its body weight of 3" bgill (wt.11-16 grams ave 14g) it would take 9.7 BG to equal 4.8oz which is 10% of 3 lbs (48oz).

BC: I think that is a perfect 'formula' until I learn more. Again, it gives me the idea and direction to feed my BG as much as they can eat for the time being, keeping the population strong and growing as the LMB and CC populations grow and increase their own feeding. For now, only the BG are on pellets, as the LMB and CC are freshly introduced as of last Fall. I would hope that at least the CC will eventually come up to the pellets so I can watch their average growth. For the past 2 years, feeding time for the BG looks more like a Hollywood produced African Piranha feeding frenzy scene. LOTS of BG.