Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations bass management

I have a three year old eighteen acre pond that was stocked by state standards (sc). I have actively fished the pond all three seasons keeping almost all the fish caught with the exception of the first year. Last years keepers were from 1/2 to 2 pounds. My question is that this years fish so far have been much smaller 8" to 10"s and is this something to be alarmed about even though it is early in the season?

need some more info to answer the questions. Is your pond fertilized? How many fish is "all the fish" you caught? If you dont know a ball park figure will do. It will help you a good deal to keep a record of all the fish you remove.

I'm assuming you have a bass heavy population based on the fact that you are concerned with removing bass. you may find that it takes several years of removing bass before you see significant improvement.

Its not uncommon to see different sized classes of fish (that you were unaware of) during different times of year. Even with electrofishing equipment sometimes large numbers of fish seem to appear from nowhere.

FIrst glad to hear your on top of harvesting. THis is the most powerful tool you have in manging a 18 acre lake. WIthout harvest things can get out of hand quickly, and a pond this size has some great potential for producing great fishing for bass. What size bass have you been harvesting and how many? I'm not sure what you are asking??? If you were catching 2 lb bass last year then you should have plenty more but have not caught them, yet this year. Have you ever had a fishereies biologist electrofish the pond and provide some insight and management plan? If not year three is a good time to evaluate and make future plans. If intersted let me know. If not post some more info so we can better answer your question.

wrfaulk: I have a similar size pond that is a gravel pit nearing completion. What did you mean by stocking per state standards? Can you be more specific on the numbers and type of fish stocked and their sizes. Thanks for your input.

Rowly