Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Small pond for big bluegill/hybrid striped bass

Tail was flat almost rectangular not forked like a cc. Had a much larger mouth than cc as well.

Definately a bullhead then.


I'm with N8ly on his recommendations about starting over.

Now I see a photo....that's weird.

Okay for bullhead. That is what I suspected - bullheads when the pond tells you there are lots of little ones 3"-5" long. That can happen with CC if no bass are in the pond but it is rare. Bullheads seem to be more prolific in pond settings compared to CC.

I thought younger channel cats had more visible spots and lighter whiskers?

I'm pretty sure N8 just copied off me

Small CC don't always have spots and lighter whiskers. Often they do but color and spots will often depend on the habitat where the CC are living.

Good to know Bill

The channel cats are about the same size. The few I've caught seen to have fewer spots than I would've expected but still a few. Will check alkalinity tomorrow. The test kit I picked up at the aquarium store also tests nitrate and ammonia levels. Is it something y'all usually test for as well?

Nitrate is very rarely ever a problem in ponds for causing problems for the fish. Fish can tolerate a lot of nitrate before they get seriously stressed. Nitrite is a different concern and will affect fish at a lot lower concentrations compared to nitrate. Ammonia in most sportfish ponds is usually not a problem. Ammonia in many 'regular' fish ponds is conveted to nitrite and/or readily absorbed by the plants - primarily phytoplankon or submerged types whichever is most abundant.

Took a Kyak out into the ponds this weekend to get average depth. The smaller pond ranges from approx 5-5 1/2feet except for one hole that drops off suddenly that is approximately a 8'x4' wide and 9 1/2 feet deep. The larger pond is approximately 6 feet deep all around. Both ponds slope to the deepest average depth within 7 or so yards of bank.

PH of both ponds is 6.4

From what I've read hsb prefer a higher ph so I will likely need to add ag lime. - The larger pond is however at a low elevation on the property and has a drain system that seems to be in use more often than not so I assume liming more often will be necessary.

Any opinions on using larger gravel lime (like that used for driveways) to use to keep ph down over longer periods of time?

I read about Bruce Condello's HSB pond with over 2500 lb's/acre and its got me thinking about digging a bigger pond. Ha

http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=11135&page=2

Also should have given an update on fish. I have continued to trap small 2-3" fish and removed all I can every few days. Have removed at least one and a half 5 gallon buckets worth from larger pond. Bluegill have fattened up a little. The coppernose bluegill are not very aggressive feeders and will not try to compete with CC. My hybrid sunfish/green sunfish mutts are definitely more aggressive but they will also eat much less after the CC start to feed each day.

The channel catfish are growing like weeds. They have grown an average of approx 1 1/2 to 2 inches in the month Ive been feeding. By late april/may when it is time to drain ponds I expect the cc will be plenty big enough to fry whole or possibly even filet.