Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Wildlife Management What size fish can Cormorants eat?

Hello everyone.

I have noticed up to 4 Cormorants in my pond in the past few days. I am wondering if they can eat 14"+ trout. Those are my smallest fish I care about losing. I actually wouldn't mind if the Cormorants ate the small bass I am trying to get rid of. So, if they can't eat my trout, I won't mind having them. Can someone let me know if they can eat 14"+ trout?

Thanks.

They can eat a 2 lb LMB so I would think a 14 in RT would be a prime meal.

In that case, I need to get rid of them ASAP. I think they could do some real damage to my fish population. Thanks for the reply.

Fyfer, if your LMB are still very abundant, the cursed cormorants may spend their time catching the bass. Trout may be able to outswim the birds, whereas the bass may not be so speedy.
I can't remember if you live where you can observe the pond throughout the day. If it were me, I'd sit watching the cormorants fish and try to determine what they're catching. Perhaps they'd do you a good service if they'd concentrate on those surplus bass.
If you see them catching trout, fix the problem.

Thanks for the reply. I can watch the pond enough daily to see what fish are being caught if I pay attention. It is in view from my house. As you said, the reason to keep the birds around is to get rid of the bass which are easy targets in the shallow water. The trout, although a much bigger meal, stay a little deeper until feeding time. I haven't taken any action yet other than just scaring the birds when I can, so I'll watch and see what they are eating.

Well, I have observed the Cormorants for a few days, and I have not seen them catch any fish, bass or trout. I am not sure what they are eating. The trout are cruising near the surface waiting for pellets, while the bass are way down out of sight. I have not seen a bass in weeks, as it has been way too cold for them. We have had a very cold spring. I am not sure if the cormorants can dive 14ft or not in order to catch a bass.

Either way, I am trying to deter the birds as much as I can without breaking the law here. I will keep watching to see what they are eating.