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#523939 07/24/20 02:03 PM
Joined: Sep 2012
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Well what started out as a plan to have my one acre dug pond be a SMB/YP/RES pond has taken a bunch of turns along the way. I have posted the past stocking and changes on here as well as my build thread. I'll use this thread to talk about where I go from this point forward.

Here's my previous stocking/discovery thread if one wanted to review some of the past. Past Thread
My build thread is in my signature line and that will give you an idea of the amount of structure and things I added to the pond for the fish. In short, I have a square pond with rock shoreline on two sides of the pond that extends below the water several feet. On one side (~1/4 of pond), I have a broken concrete shelf that slowly extends to about 15' of water. I have two shallow sandy coves that are about 3-4' deep along with a beach area for the kids that the fish use often to spawn. One shoreline of the pond that is next to the feeder has filled in with cattails that seem to provide a good spot for small fish to hide and grow. I am also starting to get some bottom vegetation growing, some good and some bad that will need to be treated that I'll address in another post as we move thru this thread.

I currently have SMB, YP, GSF, LMB, GS, RES, RES/GSF hybrids and at least one pike that I know of. Based only on fishing results, we still have ample amounts of young and old perch, a blooming population of LMB, a poorly recruiting SMB population and strong numbers of GSF. I am still currently feeding the fish on auto from a feeder. Had very active feeding in spring, but has slowed down lately with the warm temps. I have three young kids that have grown to love fishing, so I want to maintain a decent catch rate but also grow some good sizes. I don't need to grow the largest fish in the area if it will take away from the kids enjoyment while fishing.

I also have an airline buried from the barn to the pond that I plan to connect to an aerator in the near future if that will help the pond in any beneficial way.

With all that said, I do understand that with my growing LMB population that they will out compete the SMB and put a hurting on the YP and may eliminate those as well. So, my thoughts are leaning towards needing to stock some BG soon to keep the food supply going as the LMB reduce the YP and GSF populations. I am not sure on what quantity I should do that and also need to work on a LMB managemnt plan so they don't over populate the pond as well. Any suggestions are welcome!


Based on the LMB that my boy caught yesterday, the pond has had a great start and I'd like to keep it heading in the right direction even if it's not the same destination that I originally started towards. 3.86 lbs @ 18"

[Linked Image from forums.pondboss.com]



Not sure how many of these guys are in there, hoping only this one as my boy says "it accidentally got off the stinger" I would guess that to be boy speak, "but Dad I really want to catch him again!" Hopefully he keeps some of the LMB numbers in check.

[Linked Image from forums.pondboss.com]

Last edited by Huntmaster; 07/30/20 11:04 AM.

1 Acre Pond with SMB, YP, LMB, GSF, RES, FHM, GSH, Papershell Crayfish, Pike
5.5 Acre Pond with LMB, BG

My Build Thread
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Those smiles says it all!

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Both LMB and NP look quite healthy! Congratulations on a job well done, especially for your kids.


7ac 2015 CNBG RES FHM 2016 TP FLMB 2017 NLMB GSH L 2018 TP & 70 HSB PK 2019 TP RBT 2020 TFS TP 25 HSB 250 F1,L,RBT -206 2021 TFS TP GSH L,-312 2022 GSH TP CR TFS RBT -234, 2023 BG TP TFS NLMB, -160




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After looking around a bit, I am contemplating adding 100 3-4" bluegill and maybe 20 larger 5-6" or so. Any thoughts on how that plan should work? Need more? Or less? Should I get them in this fall or wait until next spring?


1 Acre Pond with SMB, YP, LMB, GSF, RES, FHM, GSH, Papershell Crayfish, Pike
5.5 Acre Pond with LMB, BG

My Build Thread
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With LMB that size use 5 inch or larger BG. Line up your source now. You can stock in the early fall or early spring - just be sure that the BG are in good condition. How many depends on your goals and current forage base.
















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My current forage base consists of large numbers of GSF and GSF/RES hybrids that are under the 5" mark, OK numbers of YP from small up to 13" or so and a few left over GSH that were initially stocked. My goal with the BG is to keep the bass fat, growing and happy while providing an opportunity for the kids to catch some table fare. With the YP likely going by the wayside and the LMB population growing, I need to provide a food source and a hook and bobber biting fish. Not overly concerned with real large BG, just big enough to eat. It seems that with a consistent feeding program, I should be able to accomplish decent BG size and big LMB.

So, if skipping stocking small BG so they don't get eaten by the few big LMB in the pond, should I go with as big as I can find and 30-50? Seems like I have ample food in the pond today, just don't want to hit a wall and the bass run out of food.


1 Acre Pond with SMB, YP, LMB, GSF, RES, FHM, GSH, Papershell Crayfish, Pike
5.5 Acre Pond with LMB, BG

My Build Thread
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I think you have a plan that should help with your goals.
















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