Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Normal Growth rates

Guys, I have a question about the growth rate of my bass, but let me do it in story fashion since this really got a lot of laughs.

My 2-acre pond was stocked for the first time with Bluegill in Feb 2000 and Bass in June 2000. I put in 2000 BG, 200 bass. I feed 2-3 times daily during March-November and Fertilize during the same period. Through last Fall, the largest bass caught was 3.5 lbs. with lots of others in the 1-2.5 range. They're all healthy, well-rounded, not skinny, so I'm assuming the population is pretty well balanced. I'm now tracking it more closely and comparing to some of the published charts. Lots of bluegill of all sizes. All appears to be fine.

Well, this past Sunday I caught about 10 in the 1-3 pound range early a.m. and a few more late afternoon. About dark, my neighbor shows up with a friend and the friend's Girlfriend who's fished only a few times in her life. I'm packing up to go home, but they want to catch a few BG so we wait around a little while. She's got a Zebco 33, bream hook, and a dead cricket, fishing right in front of my feeder. It's so dark, you can't even see the cork. About this time, she says "I think I've got one!" Then we hear a splash that sounds like SHE fell in. Not so, but she barely gets the fish to the bank and my friend grabs it. We can't believe this thing. It's by far the largest bass yet. I get out my trusty BogaGrip and it measures 6 pounds! Bigger than anything I've caught in my pond or elsewhere - Life is just not fair. We released the bass and I'll be after him from now on (unless the neighbor's already snatched it!).

I'm a proud papa, but just wonder if I can expect others of that size. I picture this mama hanging out around the feeder, having a banquet on the BlueGill.

Anyway, is a 6 pounder normal for less than 3 years of growth?

As always, thanks for the information.

Dave

The hatchery where I got my bass said to expect a growth rate of about a pound a year but that a few would be up to 3 pounds in 12 months. That bass is probably not typical but is also probably not alone in its growth pattern. Whatever you are doing, keep doing it.

Dave, I first stocked a pond 15 years ago. The hatchery owner, who was older than dirt at the time, told me that sometimes a fish will outgrow all of its siblings. He called that kind of fish a "Hog Out". He said that anytime he spots one like that, he holds it for his breeding program. If that is the case in your pond, congratulations.

That would explain the catfish I saw in my pond yesterday. I stocked the pond last fall, with most of the catfish now in the 7-8" range. Few "big" ones are in the 10" range. But there is also at least one that is 16-18". I thought it must have got there from the neighbor's pond, but it is really too far for that to make sense. Since I don't have a breeding program, and the offspring are bound to be eaten by the predators, my main concern is how to get it in the pan.

It was also interesting to see how differently the fish behaved. The catfish were spooked easily, but the bluegill kept hitting the pellets even with my kids jumping in the pond from the other side of the pier.

Six pounds in 3 yrs is a freak!. Sounds like she hooked the Shaq. Most bass should be around 3 to 5. Five pounders would be rarely caught. I would add these results would be a lake that has been "first class management".

Several lakes I started from scratch produced comparible figures in growth rates. Sounds like you stocked it right from the start. Most landowners get screwed by "hatchery snake oil salesmen" who just want to sell fish.

Rufuscatfish

growth rates like that are not uncommon in new ponds. In almost all new ponds that I stock you see fish like that. thats why you hear us consultants talking about draining and restocking all the time. most folks freak out but most of the time its the best way to get some great fishing fast.

also, that bass is using the feeder for feeding too. although its not eating the floating feed. what is happening is the bass has recognized that the feeder goes off several times per day and lots of forage fish are eating. when the feeder goes off the bluegill are not paying that big bass any attention. that gives him a huge advantage, he is using the feeder against the BG and taking them down. I see this alot as well.

this is why a trophy bluegill management strategy wont work with big bass in the pond. a 6 pound bass can eat a very large BG. and it know right where to go to find an easy meal.

My 2 year old cats are averaging around 3 pounds each but over the weekend caught one of about a dozen albinos that were stocked that went 5 pounds easily. You just never know what fish are gonna do.

Bob

My pond is just the same most of my bass average out a 3 to 4 pounds, but some are 6 to 7. I even recorded a 8 pounder.

Hey Shan! Good to see you on here again!