Pond Boss
We hand feed nightly at relatively the same time. YP have been feeding really well since early spring. However, we are noticing that as we get into summer and warmer temps their feeding activity seems to be much less. Is this typical of YP in wamer water?

Or I've also had a huge FHM hatch in recent weeks, is it that they are chowing down on FHM and don't need the supplemental feeding?

Also stocked tilapia for algae control and now the tilapia are also eating feed. Could this be deterring the YP from feeding?
can you share advice on how to get a booming FHM hatch in the setting of hungry YP?
any particular structure that helps shield the FHM? I have trouble keeping them established.

My YP feed less in bright light conditions and in warm weather conditions. I assume they are staying cool and eating 'natural' pond food at night maybe?
I haven't been seeing much of the YP in my pond since the surface temp reached 75°.

I've got ridiculous numbers of FHM, GSH, and yoy BG/HBG, so I'm thinking the perch are just staying a little deeper and gorging themselves on minnows.
Perch especially those larger than 8"-9" will dramatically slow all their feeding activity when water reaches 80F which in most cases that is happening now. Amount of feed eaten by the perch is noticeably less. This is normal.
I don't see many YP after about June 15. I have been able to catch a few just before complete darkness quite similar to WAE this time of year. I do have some pellet trained YP but just as with last summer, they seem to avoid the heat.
I'm also taking Bill's word for it that this is normal behavior for a true northern type fish.
When our water temp reached 75 ish the yellow perch really turn off the feed. I have turned our air stations to run only at night 7pm till 7am to help cool the pond. Our pond has more water deeper at or below 30"s then above 30"s. The temp the top 30"s gains in the day with out water circulation is easily removed with the cool nights air temp.

Cheers Don.
© Pond Boss Forum