I have a small pond, less than 1 acre, we stocked bass and channel cats. I built it about 5 years ago and added perch we caught in lake texoma. It seems all of the perch were green sunfish, I thought some were bluegills but now we never see any, only the sunfish. They are fun to catch but seem to be millions. My question is will so many perch hurt my bass and cats growth rate? If so should I purchase the hybrid bluegill and stock to slow the sunfish population?

I don't yet consider myself an "expert", but have been actively managing a couple of smaller ponds for several years and have some experience with overpopulations of panfish (usually here in Iowa it's an overpopulation of bluegill, though). First, I would think that adding bluegill - hybrid or normal - will pressure the sunfish population because they will compete for the same food sources. However, even though this may reduce the sunfish population, this will still mean lots of panfish, rather than the more sporting fish you seem to want.

I would instead be happy that I have a good base in the food chain and add more predators to eat these little fish up and grow large. I know for a fact that catfish of all varieties LOVE to eat green sunfish - it's one of my favorite baits to use to catch them! I also catch bass when fishing with sunnies so I know bass like to eat them too.

So I would suggest that you either add another predator species that you always wanted in your pond (maybe smallmouth, stripers or wipers?) or go catch some nicer cats and bass locally (maybe using your sunnies as bait?) and put them in your pond. I would also suggest that you tell anyone who fishes your pond to throw out every sunfish they catch in the meantime.

BTW: If you want to intentionally target the sunnies, think small. I use a lightweight pole and reel, 4 lb mono, tiny painted jig-heads (1/32, 1/64 and even 1/80 oz. jigs - some bare and some with feathers, etc.) and tip them with a wax worm or a small piece of earthworm less than an inch in length. Put this under a small regular bobber, or better yet a slip bobber rig with a small split shot and you'll be surprised how much fun you have catching the little buggers. If you can't find that small of jig heads, a friend of mine just uses a really really small hook, small split-shot and the same bait setup under a bobber with good success.

Hope this helps.

Also try a perch trap baited with dog or cat food. If it is canned just poke holes in the can and put it in the trap. If it is dry food put in a little baggie fill with water and poke little holes all over the bag and then put in trap.

Hello ibfarming and welcome to Pond Boss. You have been blessed by the presence of the most magnificent species of fresh water fish known to man. You should feel honored that this species chose your pond to occupy. Any fool can have BG, they are like rabbits, but the mighty green sunfish, it's beauty almost unsurpassed, yet behind that beauty lies a great warrior, a survivor, a masterpiece.

Ignore what Paul and Zack have advised and embrace this gift. You have been chosen. Much like the great apostles, you may not have asked for this duty but now you are bound to it. Treat your GSF with loving kindness and the respect that they deserve. Know that this road is a difficult one. You will have blasphemers and nay sayers taunt you and and call you names but know that you are serving a higher authority and do not be detracted from enjoying the gift that has been presented to you. Know that these heretics espouse hatred due to ignorance and prejudice and forgive them their weaknesses.

Also know that should you chose to ignore my advice then heed this warning. Paul disappeared in 2005. Zack in 2007. Just don't mess with us.

JHAP:

I think ibfarming has disregarded your advice, and you need to check with the death star operator; ibfarming disappeared in '03.

somebody flip on the Yolk-signal

I noticed that he only made this one post. I was hoping to save his soul before all was lost.

He has his own signal?

Does he have a costume as well?

Does he have a Yolk-Cave?

A Yolk-Mobile?

Is Rex the equivalent of Robin?

When Yolk and Rex are together does Rex speak like Robin as in "Holy Tilapia, Yolk Sack."

I'm going to give him a pass here, a perhaps misplaced humane gesture. The 6 plus year gap between post and response suggests to me that JHAP's cerebral function has been adversely affected by his recently experienced hypothermia. Like a tilapia, the cold has made him sluggish and impaired. Of course, that doesn't explain his premorbid fascination with GSF. That appears to be due to some intrinsic defect of reasoning, rather than any extrinsic influence.

easy prey for coons....no wonder he didn't follow the drag-tracks

I can just see it.
A family of raccoons holed up in a cave with a little fire going. JHAP is hog-tied, laying in the dark corner with a GSF stuffed in his yap.
How would the 'coon-versation go...?

"I don't care what momma says, THAT ain't gonna taste like chicken!"

I guess there's no end to JHAP's suffering.

Momma coon says, "paw should we core the beast and greenie before we roast im?

Papa coon reply, " If aint gonna get my knife dirty on dem varmints."

Baby coon shrieks,..............................

tune in next week for the exciting climax or 'JHAP, roasted, toasted and pitted'.

Hey IB, getting back to your question. No problem with Green Sunfish. They are just another mouthful for bass and cats. And actually, an easier mouthful due to their more elongated shape. The only downside to them is their lack of spawning as compared to bluegill. Personally, I like green sunfish but their reputation has suffered due to being maligned by the ignorant and unwashed.

Hybrid bluegill are a fish that I don't care for unless you have a small catfish pond with a feeder.

Since GSF only spawn annually, they cannot handle the heavy predation of bass to become an perpetual forage/protein base for your predators. I would drop in several hundred 5 to 6 inch bluegill to get them established while the GSF provide the groceries. BTW, with a water hole of less than one acre, culling bass, not GSF, will be your biggest problem.

I'm telling ya I don't get no respect.

Read more closely:

That's either respect or fear.

I'd guess respect.

good suggestions by DD1 on stocking adult bluegill. Then you will get some natural hybrids.

Jim, I thought about that after I posted. However at 5 to 6 inches, I figure there will be enough female bluegill that are already knocked up to get some BG reproduction.

BG promiscuous, but greenies are worser, just with a shorter erotic phase.