New Pond Owner and member in SE Kentucky - 03/27/13 06:12 PM
Hi all. Recently found this site while attempting to begin the learning process of maintaining a pond and was really impressed from what I have seen here.
My wife and I recently purchased our home and land here in Whitley County, Ky which includes a log home on 22+ acres with an approximately 3/4 - 1 acre pond. I have never owned or managed a pond before so I will eventually have numerous questions for the pros I am certain. We moved in last summer but did not get to do much fishing last year, just enough to know that the pond is going to need work, the property sat vacant for some time (have heard everything from 3 - 7 years) so we have been extremely busy on everything (not just the pond). First order of business on the pond was removing trot lines and posting No Trespassing signs. After talking with the neighbors two admitted to putting wild caught fish into the pond (including mudcat and crappie) but no owning up to the trot lines (doubt anyone will, lol). My wife pulled one fairly large mudcat to the bank last summer (at least 6-8 lbs, he broke the line before i could get him out of the water) and we have caught a couple of large CC's but have yet to see any crappy which one neighbor stated putting approximately 30-40 in. I have attempted to educate the neighbors on the negative aspects of introducing wild fish (especially crappie) into ponds while not being a complete jerk about it, one seems to understand the other not so much (I suspect him to be the TL culprit as he likes to harvest deer excessively as well).
I have read enough so far to know one of the first things you guys say is to determine your goals. I guess for now my goals are primarily a decently balanced LMB, BG(including Redear) and CC pond for relaxation/recreation and periodic consumption.
I look forward to knowing everyone and sharing experiences. If it takes a few days for me to respond to anything, please bear with me, if the weather is fair to good I am most likely working on something here and most days I will stay at it all day long or until the job is done (which is a tall order around here). I will also eventually get around to posting some pics also (once I figure it out).
My wife and I recently purchased our home and land here in Whitley County, Ky which includes a log home on 22+ acres with an approximately 3/4 - 1 acre pond. I have never owned or managed a pond before so I will eventually have numerous questions for the pros I am certain. We moved in last summer but did not get to do much fishing last year, just enough to know that the pond is going to need work, the property sat vacant for some time (have heard everything from 3 - 7 years) so we have been extremely busy on everything (not just the pond). First order of business on the pond was removing trot lines and posting No Trespassing signs. After talking with the neighbors two admitted to putting wild caught fish into the pond (including mudcat and crappie) but no owning up to the trot lines (doubt anyone will, lol). My wife pulled one fairly large mudcat to the bank last summer (at least 6-8 lbs, he broke the line before i could get him out of the water) and we have caught a couple of large CC's but have yet to see any crappy which one neighbor stated putting approximately 30-40 in. I have attempted to educate the neighbors on the negative aspects of introducing wild fish (especially crappie) into ponds while not being a complete jerk about it, one seems to understand the other not so much (I suspect him to be the TL culprit as he likes to harvest deer excessively as well).
I have read enough so far to know one of the first things you guys say is to determine your goals. I guess for now my goals are primarily a decently balanced LMB, BG(including Redear) and CC pond for relaxation/recreation and periodic consumption.
I look forward to knowing everyone and sharing experiences. If it takes a few days for me to respond to anything, please bear with me, if the weather is fair to good I am most likely working on something here and most days I will stay at it all day long or until the job is done (which is a tall order around here). I will also eventually get around to posting some pics also (once I figure it out).