Pond Boss Forums Thread Like Summary - fish jumping out of water

I went to the lake last night and when my headlights hit the water, a 1/2 dozen fish took off jumping out of the water. Then some more did this and then just a couple. The last ones made it all the way out of the water. These fish looked like mini porpoises scooting across the water. Looked to me about 6 to 8 inches long. I have seen shad do this when they were being chased but have no shad in the lake. What other kind of fish would do this?

nehunter,

I just saw that you have a 61 acre watershed lake!

However, I am confused about how the creek ties to your lake. Our local watershed ponds all have drop structures for the normal flow, so I believe they are 100% cut off from any fish transfer possibilities from the creek downstream of the dam.

However, floodwaters from any of the ponds upstream would almost certainly contribute fish species to your lake. The creek on our property frequently falls from "ankle deep" to "big toe deep" and I am always amazed at the diversity and size of fish in our tiny creek.

Basically, you COULD have any fish that lives in Nebraska in your lake.

I went to the lake last night and when my headlights hit the water, a 1/2 dozen fish took off jumping out of the water.

Again, this is gizzard shad.
I'm willing to bet my fish farm on this. Whether they were put there or not, they are there now.
I'm sure enough I'm willing to bring the equipment to prove it.