Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Existing Pond Management

I recently was placed in charge of managing a family pond that was an existing fishing pond that was abandoned after a hurricane. After about a year of observation here is what I've found. The lake was on an old RV/Trailer park for rent place. It is around 7 acres in total. The overall shape is sort of like an anvil with the base being shallow spawning area. The Average depth in this area is around 2-3 feet. When the anvil starts to broaden there is a drop off. Immediately the lake grades down to 20 feet. The hole top side(of the anvil) is around 20 feet until it grades back up to the north bank. There is some fallen timber in the shallows and some bottom structure in the north end of lake in 5-10' of water. I have ran the sonar over the entire pond. I have also sunken 3 PVC fish attractors, and 2 Christmas trees. The water color is beautiful, a blueish green color that seems to be a healthy environment for fish. Very clear on a sunny day you can see the bottom in the shallows no problem. I have caught bass of all sizes and from what I gather the large mouth population is healthy. I want to build on this healthy population and improve it. Assuming it didn't get fished heavily after the storm it was able to grow, with an occasional poacher harvesting the pond that sat abandoned for a few years. I have seen and caught for the most part healthy bass from 1 lb to 4 lbs. I have harvested only 12-14" bass in the last year and have taken around 20 fish on about 5 occasions (with work being so busy and the pond an hour and a half away). I have seen plenty of algae and minnows for feeding. The only concerns I have are one, it did get flooded with salt water during Hurricane Isaac of 2012. So there is a few what I believe are saltwater mullet that jump out of water occasionally. I've never seen this before in fresh water and want to get rid of this species. Also, my brother has caught one large healthy white crappie. I've been told that they compete for food with bass and are usually unwanted in a pond since they rival the large mouth for food. I have been trying to catch more but have been unsuccessful. The crappie are fine by me to stay since i enjoy catching them. I still don't know much on the population, except for that one large one that was caught. As far as catfish I still haven't fished for them yet so don't know if they are in there or not. It does have turtles and an occasional alligator but we are actively managing the alligators(catching and releasing). So getting to my question, my Uncle manages a great pond in West Monroe, LA. He for years has told me and have experienced the wonders of coppernose bluegill. I am very interested in stocking my pond with this species, but am concerned that since the crappie and bass are both predators of the bluegill; I might just be feeding them and don't know if I can sustain a population of bluegill. I have been very fortunate to be placed in control of this pond and am really excited with what I've seen so far. My 3 year old is just getting excited about fishing and I bought him his first Zebco last week. I have taken a lot of pointers from my Uncle in Monroe who has been managing since the 80's and is a pond boss subscriber. I am willing to stock and feed bluegill immediately. I just want some advice on the best time to stock and if i can sustain the species and what effects it will have on others. Any thoughts or advice is appreciated.

Also I do have a smaller pond that is connected via culvert that could act as a spawning/growing tank. Thanks again.

It sounds like "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".

The healthy bass are an indication of a healthy forage base which is an indication of good water quality. However, unmanaged ponds don't always stay in good shape.

I would have the water analyzed to find out what the base is. The color is a good indicator. However, I would also measure the water clarity with a device called a sechi disk. That's a fancy word for a white bucket lid with a weight on a string and a hole through the lid for the string. It should disappear at about 18 to 24 inches. That will tell you the plankton base. If you're in pine tree country, there is the possibility that you will have to lime and fertilize. How deep are the shallows where you can see the bottom? Clear water can be an indicator of low phytoplankton(microscopic plants) that are the basis of pond life. I would do the sechi several times during the spring and Summer. Add the results to the log that I mention below.

You are right about dumping in the CNBG. They will get eaten immediately. The smaller pond might be a good grow out area but the culvert will allow them to escape and let larger fish in. Or, can you manage that?

Define your goals. Do you want big bass or big bluegills? They seldom go together in southern ponds. If you want big bass, keep every fish below 14 inches and encourage the big bluegills by never keeping even one. They are the spawning base. If you want big bluegills, eliminate big bass to encourage and assist the big bluegills to keep growing. The smaller bass will eat the smaller bluegills that compete with the bigger ones for food. Only keep big female BG when you learn how to identify them. The Uncle may be more interested in bluegills and you may not. This matters.

Do a couple of things. First, the water analysis. Second, drag a seine through the shallows to find out more about the forage base. Third, examine every fish caught and keep a log of their condition and their weight/length ratio. You can get a chart at www.lakework.com. Try to get everyone who fishes it to add to the log.

This stuff is Southern Ponds 101 and a good starting place.

Dave saved me a lot of typing. The only thing that I'd add is about the mullet. I wouldn't worry about them - they'd be forage for the LMB. I'd leave them in there.

Yup, the mullet will die of old age soon. They will not spawn in your pond.

Gentlemen,
I appreciate the time and comments you've offered. To answer some questions, the shallow area is 2-3 feet. I am willing to run the siene but am a novice at it, I will have to turn to you all and the internet for tips and pointers. My goals are definitely LMB, that being said I do want a healthy population of CNBG. As they are a lot of fun to catch with the kids and nephews. I know the LMB will feed on them and fatten them up, which is good. I am not after trophy size Bluegill but would like to see a healthy group of them living under the big dock and around the pond. I am planning on a feeder in the incubation pond and near the dock in a floating ring to contain food. Any suggestions on a good quality feeder. Water analysis was my next step, as I mentioned my uncle is a good coach and has been doing it for years. My only questions now are, where can I find info on the sechi disk analysis and management. Also, I can easily remedy the culvert because the water is usually low and doesn't even enter the culvert so I will just install a screen to keep out predators. The water quality in the incubation pond might be an issue. The pond is round only 50 to 60ft in diameter. The depth seems to be around 2 feet, and appears to be darker than the lake. A long canal joins the two that is rarely full. At what size can I introduce the CNBG so that they will not be consumed immediately? Lastly, what could I expect to pay for a specialist to come and electrosurvey the lake. Thanks again.

Did you have any other stranded salt water frineds left from the flood. I am suprised you did not end up with a few blue crabs,redfish or some other estuary inhabitant....

If you already have crappie and LMB in the pond, I would bet you have BG in it as well. They may not be CNBG, but rather the BG native to your area, but I am betting you have BG present already. In a pond that got flooded, there is no telling what all you have...