Pond Boss Forums Thread Like Summary - No Bluegill Spawn?

Hey everyone,

It appears that none of my fish successfully spawned this year. I walk around the pond and see no fish smaller than 4”. I figured maybe it was too early in the year, but I was at my friends pond today and they’re are small 1-2” fish everywhere around the outside of this pond. Hundreds and thousands of minnow sized bluegills.

This leads me to believe that something is wrong in my pond, but I’m not sure what’s up. The temp in the pond was measured at 74 degrees today, and it’s been in the 70s for about a week.

Here are my questions:
1. Would it be past years spawn that produces the small 1-2” fish I see in my friends pond (bass & bluegill pond) or would that be fish from this year?
2. I have a huge weed problem this year. My pond is inundated. Basically every square foot of the surface is covered with weeds and algae. We’ve been waiting to remove it because I wanted to let the fish spawn in peace… but I’m wondering if it’s possible to have too many weeds for the fish to spawn?
3. I’ve also noticed the water seems browner this year than in previous years. More sedimentation, less visibility. Could that be a factor?

Not sure where to start with fixing this pond. I added the bluegills last spring and would love to get them reproducing. Didn’t get much last year, and not looking like we’re getting much this year either. Any thoughts?

Thanks.

Good news. Looks like I was premature with my concern. My shallows are covered in moon craters now that we got some of the weeds pulled out. Should have a nice spawn after all hopefully!

I've worked in upstate NY, between Syracuse and Rochester. There were lakes of varying sizes on that private preserve. In the smaller ponds, their bluegills didn't spawn until early June, and in the bigger, deeper lakes, it could be as late as July. They spawned once per year and grew fast. When we started a limited supplemental feeding program in the second year, (with a high protein feed), we saw fish in better condition and two spawns in small ponds. In the water with heavy spring vegetation that invaded the best spawning areas, spawning was reduced...the bluegills couldn't efficiently get to their beds. Just for giggles, we raked some plants (curly-leafed pondweed) off from known spawning beds and the bluegills came right in and did their business in two feet of water. I believe timing was important for that. If we'd waited another week or two, odds are the fish wouldn't have spawned.

Here's my parting shot from lots of years messing with fish...just because you can't see them doesn't mean they aren't there. If the neighbor's bluegills have spawned, yours probably have as well. It could be that you have much better escape cover and habitat with good food that your fish don't have to come to the edge seeking protection and a cafeteria.

I would think it's a little early for BG to spawning in upstate NY, if anything they should be just getting started, any idea what your current water temps are? IMO the 1-2" BG you are seeing in your friend's pond are last years late spawn BG that survived the winter.