Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Fish mass removal

I have several issues going on with my pond but thought I would try to put the issues in the right forum.
I have a 1/3 SA pond with an average depth of 4.5 ft and max at 9.
I need to lighten the fish load as I'm sure I'm too heavy. I have cc lmb cnbg res and 1 grass carp around 30#. I was happy with the balance I had going but with the water issues I have going on I need to thin the herd.
My goal would be a good balanced pond with a slight lean toward big gills.
My water is about 6 years old and I'm not sure how much fish I have.
Here is what I've done this weekend... Removed 4 catfish for 19 1/2#. 6 bass for 14.5 # with a Average RW of 114% and 11 female bluegill for 3.5 # with average RW of 117%.
I run out of time this weekend but been to do some more. What is everyone's opinion on how to proceed from here.
Thanks

Fishing is my favorite way to remove fish but when you have too many, it is difficult to remove enough to make much of a difference unless you have a lot of time to fish or allow others to fish. You can remove a lot of catfish by fishing them out and make a difference in their numbers. Do you feed the fish pellets? If so, feeding time is a good time to throw out a cast net into the boil. One decent throw will probably catch more fish than you can catch on a rod in hours of fishing. It gives you a chance to cut the numbers, toss back the ones you want in the pond, and invite the others to dinner. Cast nets are reasonable. Thirty bucks or so at Walmart. Good luck and have fun.

Sounds like a fun weekend!

I have no knowledge of the subject you are talking about except what I have read. But here is an old thread that might have some information to help you decide.

Pond carrying capacity

If you read that thread and go with some assumption that you might have 400-500# of fish per acre in there (one third of that in your case because 1/3 acre), then that might give you an idea of what percentage you possibly could have already removed.

All conjecture on my part. Wait for the experts for a better answer. But that link might help you out in the mean time.

If you would like another opinion from a novice. I think Snrub is on the mark.

If it were me and I did not know what I had, I would fish heavy for everything. Keep all CC(they get hook shy quick IMO).

Bass, take with mouth gape under 2 1/2" and mouth gape 4 1/2" or so larger, ( they will eat CNBG that will fit in their mouth). That will leave the larger CNBG to grow. Take skinny ones too.

Take slot CNBG in the 5" to 7" maybe 8". Throw back any large specimens that look healthy or have Length/Weight ratios that are high.

RES, I do not catch many and I stock RES jumbos every year, so I would not know what to say other than I keep the few I catch.

Good luck and what a problem to have

Pond carrying capacity can vary a lot. From 3000 lbs per acre to 100 lbs per acre. The average is about 400 lbs in a well managed avg pond. Of that 400 lbs 25% will be predator fish or 100 lbs. For 1/3 acre that means 33 lbs of predators. You have already removed more than that. Why do you think you are near carrying capacity ?

I'm just assuming, I really have no clue. I had a major fill kill 4 years ago. I put my air system in and restocked with lmb and cc. I think 25 each if I remember. That's before I started keeping records. I'm sure not all died but how many I'm not sure. It if fished a lot and I just keep saying to myself I need to start taking some out. I feed a lot and see the volume of fish also. Bass and bg spawns have been good and they seem to be growing fast. My water quality this year is what's got me concerned. I just don't want to loose em all. Been down that road. Im trying to learn as I go but the more I learn the more I see I don't know.
With all that said why do I think I have too many fish? Just a guess...
The 400# per acre, is that Surface acre or acre foot. I'm confident I have removed 33# predators, could remove 33 more and still have 33 left. But with that said most of that would be cc. But when they reach 6 or so pounds they eat what they want.
Thanks