Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations How to find the trout in my pond

I have a 1 acre pond stocked with 80 8-10 inch brown trout. I don't fish for them because they are in there to eat my leeches and I want them to grow before I catch them. I never see them which I assume is because they are deeper in the pond. Is there anyway to attract them or see them without fishing? I heard you could put a light at the shore to attract bugs.

Thanks

Do you see them hitting the surface?

What do you mean by that. If it means see them come to to the surface no.

What is your water clarity, and when were they stocked? What is your surface water temperature?

I mean if you watch the lake do you see "rings" in the water where they come up to eat bugs, etc.

Are you saying you don't even ever see any signs of them feeding?

Surface water temp: 73 visibility: 4 feet. stocked 3 weeks ago. Have found one belly up fish but that is it. Have a large fountain. Also there are 5 snapping turtles some of which are very big.
Thanks

Also this is in southern Ontario so it has not been hot this year

73°F is warm for trout, they are deeper in the pond seeking out the cooler water providing there is sufficient Oxygen at those cooler water levels. If there isn't sufficient O2 at those levels, they could have all died. Not all trout float when dead. Trout prefer water that is in the 50's to 60's temperature wise.

Thanks for the response. I don't think they are all dead because we do see a jump occasionally. I was told by the trout farm that brows can handle higher temps. The water will be in the 60s in a couple months I think. Is it ok for the trout to be deeper down provided there is enough o2. How can I tell if the fish are dying?

The only way to tell for sure if they are dying is by seeing them.

Perhaps you could try fishing for them with a lure that has had it's hook(s) removed???

Your brown trout could have been caught or isolated between warmer water and lack of dissolved oxygen in the deeper cool water. Most of them likely died and a few might have been able to find a small cool water refuge with enough DO to survive. You won't really know how many survived until the water temperature drops into the 60's and you again see them. When the water cools you might try feeding some pellets to see if you get any trout response.

Thanks for the replies. I actually put an underwater camera and saw a few trout swimming. If these ones are alive I don't see why the others aren't.

my comment repeated: "trout could have been caught or isolated between warmer water and lack of dissolved oxygen in the deeper cool water. A few might have been able to find a small cool water refuge with enough DO to survive." You won't really know how many survived until the water temperature drops into the 60's and you again see them." I would during cool surface water times regularly add some pellets to monitor the numbers of trout.

When water is fairly clear, the video camera is a good way to check presence of fish in deep water when surface water is warm.