Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations North Texas Pond Update & Questions?

It's been awhile since I have posted.

My pond is about 1.5 acres in north Texas (Jack County). I am trying for a crappie pond, and thought I would give an update as the pond progresses.

First question is: My pond is down about 2 feet... is this comparable to other North Texas ponds?

I stocked the pond in May, 2006 with 400 3-4" bluegill, 10 lbs of shiner minnows, and 10 or 12 1-pound LMB. In November, 2006 I added another 500 3-4" bluegill, 10 lbs of shiner minnows, 10 lbs of fathead minnows, and 100 3-4" crappie.

My goals are to have a great fishing hole with lots of easy to catch bluegill for the kids, the possibility of getting a big LMB every now and then, and to produce enough crappie to eat on a somewhat regular basis. I will keep the pond bass heavy to try and keep the crappie under control.

And now for the update. We had a great Labor Day weekend working at the farm and fishing. My wife, two daughters and I had a ball fishing the pond seriously for the first time since it was stocked. See pics below.

The average bluegill is 5 to 6 inches, with some going as big as 8 inches. All looked fat and healthy. I'm always amazed at the color variations in bluegill. The shoreline is teeming with this years spawn of bluegill and minnows. Looks like a very healthy forage base... you can see them swimming along the shore line in groups of 20 - 50.

The LMB weren't biting much, but we caught a few small ones that prove that they spawned this year too.

The crappie are the real growth story. They started out at 3-4" in November, and now the average is 8", and one was 10" long. They also look very healthy. I am amazed at this level of growth... is this normal?

I did not get any weights, so all of this is simply based on observation, but the pictures do tell the tale.


This year's bluegill spawn...



Oldest daughter with 8" crappie...



8" Crappie closeup...



Youngest daughter with big bluegill....



7" Bluegill Closeup...



Average Bluegill - Nice Colors...



Wife's Arm with 10" Crappie...



The pond was mirror smooth on Labor Day morning....



Sorry for the long post, but I enjoy everyone else's posts that have a lot of pictures, so I thought I would share mine.

Both of mine, SSW of Bowie, are down about a foot. I figure I lost a lot of water from wicking back into banks that had been dry for many years. And, there was no rain during August but there was plenty of heat to evaporate some of the water.

Nice looking fish, Gary.

Please keep us updated with the Crappie situation in the future. We need all the good info on managing them we can get.

Wow, sounds like your goals are about the same as mine...I've only just this summer tossed in a few (15" slab) crappie. Hope they spawn next year. My plan is about the same as yours, as well...keep it bass heavy (lots of big CC as well, up here) to keep the things under control and fish like crazy, whenever time permits.

I have one rule (several actually), BG either get cleaned or tossed on the bank...unless they are big males (C&R), and all bass need to go back in. CC are up for grabs. Folks have to leave my crappie alone for a year or so. After that, same rule as BG, although none of them will be released.

Good luck, and pond looks GREAT! Never be afraid to load pics...they really make the post for me.

great looking kids and pond. I hope the crapppie work out. I know many people on here are hoping ot works out for ya

Matt,

I grew up catching crappie... Personally, I think they are the best tasting fish, so I really wanted them in the pond. I read the forum for a year before stocking, and conventional wisdom said to stay away.

But, I have to learn some things the hard way, and if I don't mind keeping a lot of skinny, hungry bass, then I should have a decent shot at keeping the crappie under control. Time will tell.

I'm hoping mine will be big enough to begin harvesting some next year. If they keep up the current growth rate, they will be some good eating next year.

Hope your plans work out. I'll probably start a bluegill rule like yours next year, after they have had some time to really establish.

Good luck with your plans. GaryTexas

Beauty of a pond. Fat bluegill. Good crappie growth, but the 10 incher is looking a little hungry. Now is the time to put heavy fishing pressure on them. Trap some shiners and go to work. Lots of good eating and it will bring up the relative weight.

Burger,

I had thought that I would give them till next year before beginning serious crappie harvest.

I guess I should be more specific about my harvest goals.... I would like to pull 50 good sized crappie out, 3 or 4 times per year for some family fish fries. Since I only stocked 100 to begin with, I thought I would give that group two spawnings before beginning harvest.

Am I waiting too long to begin this process?