Forums36
Topics41,554
Posts565,342
Members18,858
|
Most Online3,612 Jan 10th, 2023
|
|
10 members (Droptine, jludwig, Pat Williamson, Bill Cody, JoshMI, ML10, Don Kennedy, LeighAnn, Theo Gallus, Todynot),
918
guests, and
55
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 126 Likes: 2
|
OP
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 126 Likes: 2 |
What are the latest thoughts on putting crayfish in a bass and bluegill pond for forage. I have planted them before and have had no muddy water issues. I have two small ponds that I raise mosquito fish in and have harvested crayfish out of those in the past................. so have a no cost source for them.
So should I continue ?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,343 Likes: 349
Moderator Lunker
|
Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,343 Likes: 349 |
I like the idea. I’ve used them for bait quite a bit.
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 Grandpa
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 15,511 Likes: 1218
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
|
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 15,511 Likes: 1218 |
Both bluegill and bass eat respective sizes of crayfish. Good forage items.
aka Pond Doctor & Dr. Perca Read Pond Boss Magazine - America's Journal of Pond Management
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,868 Likes: 303
|
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,868 Likes: 303 |
If you can get crayfish right after they molted, that is the best bait I have ever used. Everything in the pond or lake will eat them!
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
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,839 Likes: 49
|
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,839 Likes: 49 |
Need proper habitat if you want some to survive.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,260 Likes: 795
Lunker
|
Lunker
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,260 Likes: 795 |
Need proper habitat if you want some to survive. Anybody have a good suggestion for the optimal stone type/size and depth for the best habitat? I want to do a SMB pond with crayfish as additional forage. There are zero stones at my pond locations. I was going to put down some ground fabric and cover it with a thin layer of sand. I would like to then cover that with "crayfish" stone from 1' about the 'normal pool' water level to about the deepest useful depth for crayfish. (This pond has an outside water supply and should have a relatively stable water level.) I do have several aggregate/stone suppliers in reach with a wide array of product. I have no idea which product would be best. (I have always seen the most crayfish when overturning "platy" types of flat stones. However, my personal data sampling is too sparse to be useful.)
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 2,361 Likes: 626
|
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 2,361 Likes: 626 |
6-8" diameter minimum, but diversity in size is true of many things-this included. A note from article Cody wrote: SMB YOY survival was noted to be much higher in rock-rip rap type habitat vs aquatic vegetation, so... not only needed for craws but maximizes SMB survival as well.
|
2 members like this:
FishinRod, jludwig |
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 15,511 Likes: 1218
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
|
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 15,511 Likes: 1218 |
As Snipe noted above diversity in size is important for rocky habitat. I am currently working with a SMB -YP dominated pond where majority of the rock shoreline has 6"-12" rock to 5ft deep and several large areas have 18" to 30"+ rock material placed down to 6-7ft deep at full pool.
aka Pond Doctor & Dr. Perca Read Pond Boss Magazine - America's Journal of Pond Management
|
2 members like this:
FishinRod, jludwig |
|
|
|
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,754 Likes: 302
Lunker
|
Lunker
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,754 Likes: 302 |
I built a jetty out of riprap and then raised the water 12" so it is completely submerged at full pool. My SMB and YP are doing very well years later. I built this for papershell crayfish but don't know how well the crayfish population is doing. In any case, the fish are fat. Perhaps the GSH and lake chubsuckers are what they are eating? Glad I built this jetty when I was younger! ![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/1hETMwC.jpg)
Last edited by RAH; 08/25/22 07:39 AM.
|
1 member likes this:
jpsdad |
|
|
|
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,839 Likes: 49
|
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,839 Likes: 49 |
Rock/rip rap is what works best in my experience for crawfish habitat.
|
|
|
Moderated by Bill Cody, Bruce Condello, catmandoo, Chris Steelman, Dave Davidson1, esshup, ewest, FireIsHot, Omaha, Sunil, teehjaeh57
|
|
Koi
by PAfarmPondPGH69, October 22
|
|
|
|
|
|
|