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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 114
Lunker
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OP
Lunker
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 114 |
Hello all,
I'm looking at a beautiful ranch in East Texas that has (2) 30 acre+/- lakes on them. One is 36 years old and the other 12 years old.
My thoughts are to first hire one of the esteemed PB Gurus's to evaluate the lakes and go from there.
My main question is...can you overstock an existing lake? For example 2000-3000 shad per acre instead of the recommended 1000...etc?
This is just so I can dream until the purchase is complete...
Your thoughts and suggestions are appreciated..
Dog
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 686
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 686 |
This is just so I can dream until the purchase is complete... Dog
I am the same way! I would think as long as they all had things to eat and pleanty of oxygen, clean water, etc it would be fine. But there is a limit to all good things. The survey will tell you all you need to know, but like you say for the dreaming part, I say dream big. Some pro's should be along to answer this soon.
Get out and fish.
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,973
Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,973 |
depends 100% on goals, if growing big bass is goal hard to stock too much forage. I like the way you think have shockboat and will travel.
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 114
Lunker
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OP
Lunker
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 114 |
That's great info, my goal would be to grow big bass.
I intend to use Vertex aeration systems unless told otherwise, at least one of the lakes has a good bed of natural springs providing fresh water at a constant flow. And that's about all I know before the experts get out there.
Greg I can't wait to see that boat in action! Cool stuff!
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,721
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,721 |
I am no expert but if you need help in the "evaluation process" I have a rod and will travel.
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 121
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 121 |
Find out what's in lakes first. Conducting a survey is a great way to determine size structures. Something we can help with as well.
Then we make corrective stocking recommendations. There's a possibility that you would have to remove fish before being able to stock additional forage.
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 39
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 39 |
It is possible to overstock forage fish, especially shad. Shad will actually not reproduce if too many are present.
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,497 Likes: 266
Moderator Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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Moderator Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,497 Likes: 266 |
Many fish species exhibit reproductive suppression - shad included. That is not necessarily a good situation as it is usually associated with stunted or unbalanced fish population structure.
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 27
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 27 |
I feel you can over stock forage. Remember whatever goes in needs to eat and puts out waste. You can still achieve what you want by stocking 1,000 per acre per year for three years to reach your 3,000 per acre goal. After that you let it ride and see if your investment continues to repopulate itself the following years. This has always been our philosophy, to establish self sustaining populations of both predators and forage. Sometimes the forage bases need a little boost, but for the most part this approach works and alleviates having to stock every year. The first dollars I would spend are getting a comprehensive evaluation of the water, fish population and habitat/vegetation present.
Scott Brown Southern Sportsman Aquatics & Land Management Allen, Texas (214) 383 - 3223
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277 |
One thing to keep in mind and I know nothing about your possibility of fluctuating water levels, depths, etc.
30 acres can become 10 acres under some conditions during a really hot dry summer. In that case your biomass numbers can reach critical levels with a possible dissolved oxygen crash.
Need a whole lot more information.
Last edited by Dave Davidson1; 02/05/10 11:08 AM.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,318 Likes: 6
Ambassador Lunker
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Ambassador Lunker
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,318 Likes: 6 |
Dave
That's a awesome pont right there! Good stuff! I never even had that in mind while reading this post. That you may stock your pond for a 30 acre pond and then is becomes 15 acres then what??? Double the fish trying to live in half the water. That equation just does not sound good no matter how you look at it.
The only difference between a rut and a Grave is the depth. So get up get out of that rut and get moving!! Time to work!!
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,798 Likes: 68
Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
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Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,798 Likes: 68 |
I am no expert but if you need help in the "evaluation process" I have a rod and will travel. James I need to evaluate my HSB, YP, SMB, RES and CSBG in my main pond and Magnolia Crappie in one of my lil ponds - is Lincoln too far for you?
Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~ Henry David Thoreau
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