Pond Boss
Posted By: Michael37090 Creek Minnows & Bluegill - 10/19/20 03:40 PM
Thanks in part to you guys, my pond is now complete. Its about ½ surface area and 2 acre feet.

I have a question on creek minnows. I have a creek within a quarter mile that pours into a local lake. I have trapped minnows and chubs for years there. I have caught creek chubs, small bluegill and what looks to be FHM. Rarely do I catch lmb.

Can I put these in the pond? I have no idea what species the chubs are.

Thanks
Posted By: Paul FNG Re: Creek Minnows & Bluegill - 10/19/20 08:56 PM
About a year ago, I put probably three dozen creek chub I caught in a pool of a dried-up stream on my property into my pond when it only had about 18" of water in it. Longest fish was probably 3" with most in the 2" range.

Now the pond is full (~12ft) and I netted a chub I saw along the pea gravel beach on Saturday - it was probably 7 inches long and judging by its girth appears to have an affinity for Optimal (my son thought it was a LMB at first).

I have zero expectation they'll reproduce in the pond, but don't figure they are hurting anything.
Posted By: Snipe Re: Creek Minnows & Bluegill - 10/20/20 12:28 AM
Michael37090, That's good that you have something close like that. If I may offer a suggestion to you on this: Use this as a true educational experience and positively ID every fish you transfer. Some are more obvious than others but they may be certain species present that would (in their largest/larger sizes) be unwanted or less than beneficial to your pond.
I would love to have something like that close to me as I enjoy looking and learning about the smaller subjects that are more easily caught. I learn as I go, with the help of several here. Be Cautious in what you transfer and be sure.. If not sure, put a specimen in a ziplock and post it here. just 2 of an undesirable species can wreck what may otherwise be a great experience.
Posted By: Michael37090 Re: Creek Minnows & Bluegill - 10/20/20 05:07 PM
Thanks guys
Posted By: Michael37090 Re: Creek Minnows & Bluegill - 10/21/20 11:49 AM
Here is a pic of the creek chubs. I have no idea what species they are. They are by the millions in this creek. Would these be good or bad in my pond? I don't want them to take over

[Linked Image from forums.pondboss.com]
Posted By: Michael37090 Re: Creek Minnows & Bluegill - 10/21/20 11:53 AM
Also, I think this guy is some sort of sunfish. Good or bad in a pond? I think this is a pumpkinseed. They are in the creek by the thousands.

[Linked Image from forums.pondboss.com]
Posted By: Theo Gallus Re: Creek Minnows & Bluegill - 10/21/20 01:02 PM
I don't think it's a Pumpkinseed. Maybe a Longear.

P.S. I am interested in expert opinions on the "Creek Chubs". Calling Bill Cody.
Posted By: lmoore Re: Creek Minnows & Bluegill - 10/21/20 03:25 PM
^ agreed. Maybe they just look odd since the picture is of them inside the trap, but those don't look like creek chubs to me. Be a good idea to get some pictures of them close up and out of the trap.
Posted By: Matzilla Re: Creek Minnows & Bluegill - 10/21/20 06:02 PM
I have creek chubs in the outlet of my pond.....the outlet tube drops 40' down my dam into a deep ravine, the tube has created a very large outflow bowl that is about 4-5' deep and 10' around, it feels a creek that joins a larger creek which eventually (1.5 miles) meets the mississippi. They're very common in our area, even the smallest creeks entering the mississippi here have creek chubs. If you have small gravel or pebbles in shallow water they should reproduce. In creeks they usually spawn around the small pools with 1" or less rocks. You can usually tell they are spawning when you see them hold that gravel edge of the pool even after you scare them away - they should group up and spawn in a colony like bluegills.

I've never thought of adding them to my pond, this is an interesting idea.
Posted By: Michael37090 Re: Creek Minnows & Bluegill - 10/21/20 06:14 PM
Better pics.

[Linked Image from forums.pondboss.com]
Posted By: Theo Gallus Re: Creek Minnows & Bluegill - 11/09/20 02:00 PM
Much better pic.

Attention Chub Experts!
Posted By: CityDad Re: Creek Minnows & Bluegill - 11/10/20 04:00 PM
These guys arent getting gobbled by your bass?
Posted By: Basshaggs Re: Creek Minnows & Bluegill - 03/19/21 10:30 AM
Those look like Common Shiners, because of the darker pigments around the scales. But a little hard to tell.
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