Pond Boss Magazine
https://www.pondboss.com/images/userfiles/image/20130301193901_6_150by50orangewhyshouldsubscribejpeg.jpg
Advertisment
Newest Members
Shotgun01, Dan H, Stipker, LunkerHunt23, Jeanjules
18,451 Registered Users
Forum Statistics
Forums36
Topics40,899
Posts557,051
Members18,451
Most Online3,612
Jan 10th, 2023
Top Posters
esshup 28,407
ewest 21,474
Cecil Baird1 20,043
Bill Cody 15,110
Who's Online Now
6 members (catscratch, Brandon Larson, Layne, Dave Davidson1, Blestfarmpond, Angler8689), 638 guests, and 166 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 35
Likes: 2
T
TobyH Offline OP
OP Offline
T
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 35
Likes: 2
The wife and I finally found some rec property, that may turn into main in 6-10 years. The pond is way less than what i have been looking for, but, it’s the clearest spring fed pond I’ve seen and my wife loves it. Barely over an acre with rocky bottom as its "newish". 16ft deep near levy and has plenty of shallow bank at the other end of pond. Previous owners had it re-dug last year to eliminate the creek that ran into and through it. Now, its fed by 3 springs and overflows at an existing spillway from before remodel. Johnny Morris looking pond.

They stocked with bass, 2 grass carp and some trout. Doubt the trout will make it. they also "said" bluegill but i haven’t seen any. My goal is MO trophy bluebill, which is 1lb+ & 10"+. Redear do well around here so wouldn’t mind those, but not if it worsened my BG population. Finally, would love to have some decent LMB as well, a 5lbr here and there. No interest in any other species. There is currently no structure and due to the clarity of the pond, vegetation will probably grow in most of the pond.

I don’t know what kind of vegetation, I’m a newb. I'm looking to set a game plan. Do i need structure? Do i need to keep the carp? etc... All of these I’ll start to try and answer by searching the forums. Feel free to point me in any direction you want. The owner said he'd put me in contact with the MO conservation rep that helped him stock it last year. Will run that down as well, but again, i was surprised they didn’t put any structure.

Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 152
Fingerling
Offline
Fingerling
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 152
Total habitat/vegetation/structure should not be more than 22% of total surface area. Now you could run some linear footage and % would be totally different. Target different age events in the life of the fishery. Make some dense for newly hatched fish, semi-dense for larger (1-4"), and big hang outs for those big bass. Most new ponds don't come with a plan for the fishery, so research or picking the brains of this forum works. There is a thread on habitat types, believe esshup or Sunil have it readily available.

If you HAVE NO VEGETATION- Carp are not required or suggested.

Get your CNBG and RE in quickly, stock high on CNBG and moderately on the RE. Numbers would depend on budget and goals-how quick to that goal.

Lastly have fun and enjoy your place.


laugh
Good land management is an extended learning experience-Aldo Leopold
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,025
Likes: 274
D
Moderator
Lunker
Online Content
Moderator
Lunker
D
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,025
Likes: 274
Have you checked the alkalinity and PH? I’m concerned about the fertility of the clear water.


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
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 273
A
Offline
A
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 273
Welcome to PB fellow Miserian.

Considering what the previous owner told you was stocked in your pond, I recommend you stay as far away from the MODoC as you can when seeking advice.

I'd be inclined to drain it, kill it with rotenone, and then start over. It will be a lot of work and $$$ to get where you want to go from an unknown starting position.

Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,685
Likes: 281
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Hall of Fame 2014
Lunker
Offline
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Hall of Fame 2014
Lunker
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,685
Likes: 281
If Toby's water is 'gin-clear,' he should be able to get a better sense of his existing fish population, one might think.

Are you seeing any fish at all?


Excerpt from Robert Crais' "The Monkey's Raincoat:"
"She took another microscopic bite of her sandwich, then pushed it away. Maybe she absorbed nutrients from her surroundings."

Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 35
Likes: 2
T
TobyH Offline OP
OP Offline
T
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 35
Likes: 2
We take possession on 30th so I'll have much more info then. I see dozens of 8-10 inch bass hanging out. That's all so far but only 1 good visit. I'll test the water ph and report back in a couple weeks.

Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 884
Likes: 201
G
Offline
G
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 884
Likes: 201
Actually I used to fishing rights to a couple of MDC stocked ponds, they some some very good fishing balance in them, tons of BG obviously and then a balance of LMB CC and BC, we would catch a decent amount of nice sized slab Crappie to eat and hook some nice LMB for a little excitement, never werew as much for CC fishing out of a pond but I knew people who would catch them,, they both seemed to have a real nice balance. till the owner got lax and let a herd of cattle hang out in the ponds and they just sort of went to crap, they stomped all the edges and cover, and just made the fishing suck, havent fished them much since, also got my own pond now that I spend more time in so sort of faded away from them.


All the really good ideas I've ever had came to me while I was milking a cow.
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 35
Likes: 2
T
TobyH Offline OP
OP Offline
T
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 35
Likes: 2
So we closed on the property today!! I wasn't able to take a PH meter so i'll do that soon. I saw about 2 dozen 8-12" LMB but they weren't interested in the little slider i took to throw. I threw out about 15 times and caught 12 trout. So, they're doing well but i doubt they'll make the summer here. Also took a pic of the vegetation that does seem to be prevalent.

Next steps are to test water, stock some BG maybe some HBG and add structure. I'll talk to the MDC guy and see what they had in mind when they stocked it last year.

Attached Images
20230207_105450.jpg 20230207_105437.jpg
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,685
Likes: 281
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Hall of Fame 2014
Lunker
Offline
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Hall of Fame 2014
Lunker
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,685
Likes: 281
TobyH, I'm not able to view the pictures, and my apologies for not being able to help you with it!


Excerpt from Robert Crais' "The Monkey's Raincoat:"
"She took another microscopic bite of her sandwich, then pushed it away. Maybe she absorbed nutrients from her surroundings."

Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,892
Likes: 144
C
Offline
C
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,892
Likes: 144
yikes, please, can someone reassure us that the dreaded empty picture upload bug hasn't started up again?? oh dear...

I'm curious what a little slider lure is?

Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,407
Likes: 788
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Offline
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,407
Likes: 788
Originally Posted by canyoncreek
yikes, please, can someone reassure us that the dreaded empty picture upload bug hasn't started up again?? oh dear...

I'm curious what a little slider lure is?

Maybe https://sliderfishing.com/ ?

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

The image posting bug isn't there, you just have to host the images on an on-line hosting site and use the correct code to post them.

There is a thread here on how to post pictures. Everybody that is having problems should read and bookmark this thread: How to post pictures that show up in your post.

The site owner isn't going to put up the $$$ to host all the pictures internally, so everybody here will just have to get with the program to post pictures. It's that simple.

Is it inconvenient? Yes. But until I can get Bob on here to tell everybody how much $$$ it would cost to host pictures internally, AND get the members here to cough up that cash yearly that's what everybody will have to put up with.

Also if anybody asks, yes, the date and time is correct, AND that one is leading the hit list for archery season in October 2023. grin

Last edited by esshup; 02/07/23 10:53 PM.

www.hoosierpondpros.com


http://www.pondboss.com/subscribe.asp?c=4
3/4 to 1 1/4 ac pond LMB, SMB, PS, BG, RES, CC, YP, Bardello BG, (RBT & Blue Tilapia - seasonal).
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 35
Likes: 2
T
TobyH Offline OP
OP Offline
T
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 35
Likes: 2
Ok, i read post about posting pics. Lets try this https://imgur.com/a/7xto42J

Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 250
Likes: 11
N
Offline
N
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 250
Likes: 11
Toby, on Imgur make sure you look for the BBCode link and Copy/Paste that on it's own line below you text.


NTHA - North Texas Half Acre
Cattle Ranch Ponds
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 35
Likes: 2
T
TobyH Offline OP
OP Offline
T
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 35
Likes: 2
sorry, lets try again:

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]
[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,685
Likes: 281
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Hall of Fame 2014
Lunker
Offline
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Hall of Fame 2014
Lunker
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,685
Likes: 281
Looks awesome!!!! Congratulations!


Excerpt from Robert Crais' "The Monkey's Raincoat:"
"She took another microscopic bite of her sandwich, then pushed it away. Maybe she absorbed nutrients from her surroundings."

Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 35
Likes: 2
T
TobyH Offline OP
OP Offline
T
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 35
Likes: 2
A couple more now that i have that down. Wife took one of me fishing across pond and one pulling in a trout. Trout are a blast and boy are they hungry right now. Not sure they will make the summers here so i may have to have a catch and cook. I didn't see any blue gill and just about 2 dozen LMB that schooled and moved together around pond. Goal again is 1lb gills. So, i'll get the PH and report back this weekend.

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]
[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

1 member likes this: ewest
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,474
Likes: 264
E
Moderator
Hall of Fame 2014
Lunker
Offline
Moderator
Hall of Fame 2014
Lunker
E
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,474
Likes: 264
Welcome to PB .
















Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,407
Likes: 788
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Offline
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,407
Likes: 788
Looks great! The trout probably won't make it through the summer. I have to catch mine by the end of May. A pond with 1# Bluegill is easily doable if you feed 'em. Typically in 3 years or maybe a bit less, depending on what size they are now and what you feed them. I have a client that is catching BG that are 11+" and are over 1.5#. They were stocked as 2.5" fish the Spring of 2017. They were over a pound each back in the winter of 2020


www.hoosierpondpros.com


http://www.pondboss.com/subscribe.asp?c=4
3/4 to 1 1/4 ac pond LMB, SMB, PS, BG, RES, CC, YP, Bardello BG, (RBT & Blue Tilapia - seasonal).
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 35
Likes: 2
T
TobyH Offline OP
OP Offline
T
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 35
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by esshup
Looks great! The trout probably won't make it through the summer. I have to catch mine by the end of May. A pond with 1# Bluegill is easily doable if you feed 'em. Typically in 3 years or maybe a bit less, depending on what size they are now and what you feed them. I have a client that is catching BG that are 11+" and are over 1.5#. They were stocked as 2.5" fish the Spring of 2017. They were over a pound each back in the winter of 2020

Re BG and what you said, are you concerned with PH or water temp since its heavily spring fed? I'll get PH this Sat. I am not going to be living there for a few years. its just rec land for now. I am planning on putting up a auto feeder. With the vegetation and how much it will probably grow with the clarity, do i need to get structure in there?

Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,407
Likes: 788
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Offline
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,407
Likes: 788
For the trout, it's water temp. If the water temp gets above 70 degrees, typically there won't be any trout living in water that warm.


www.hoosierpondpros.com


http://www.pondboss.com/subscribe.asp?c=4
3/4 to 1 1/4 ac pond LMB, SMB, PS, BG, RES, CC, YP, Bardello BG, (RBT & Blue Tilapia - seasonal).
1 member likes this: jludwig
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 15,110
Likes: 476
B
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Offline
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
B
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 15,110
Likes: 476
Get some close clear pics of a small amount of that vegetation. The plants could become abundant quickly with that clear water. Does the pond have grass carp in it? OK I see from from post above it has 2 grass carp. Number of them needed will be determined by the specie of plant in the pond.

The 3 spring fed clear water may keep the pond somewhat cooler so expect BG to grow a little slower compared to a pond with warmer water. Get some water temps this summer to verify summer water temp 6 ft deep.

Last edited by Bill Cody; 02/09/23 05:05 PM.

aka Pond Doctor & Dr. Perca Read Pond Boss Magazine -
America's Journal of Pond Management
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 35
Likes: 2
T
TobyH Offline OP
OP Offline
T
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 35
Likes: 2
I forgot the dang ph tester again. I did take a pic of the main vegetation in the pond that i pulled out. I was told by the MO Conservation guy that the previous owner was more concerned with look than fish so they would add quite a bit of copper sulfate to keep algae at bay. He also said i could expect a lot of that during first 5 years due to sediment from the pond creation in 2021. Again, caught a bunch of nice trout and saw the little bass, but no signs of bluegill yet.

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,407
Likes: 788
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Offline
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,407
Likes: 788
Looks like a type of Naiad. Look up Southern Naiad or Bushy Pondweed and see if that fits what you are seeing. It doesn't look like Chara to me, but it could be that too, next time you are there, crush it some and roll it around in your hand. If it smells like a skunk it's Chara. No skunk, then not Chara.


www.hoosierpondpros.com


http://www.pondboss.com/subscribe.asp?c=4
3/4 to 1 1/4 ac pond LMB, SMB, PS, BG, RES, CC, YP, Bardello BG, (RBT & Blue Tilapia - seasonal).
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 35
Likes: 2
T
TobyH Offline OP
OP Offline
T
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 35
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by esshup
Looks like a type of Naiad. Look up Southern Naiad or Bushy Pondweed and see if that fits what you are seeing. It doesn't look like Chara to me, but it could be that too, next time you are there, crush it some and roll it around in your hand. If it smells like a skunk it's Chara. No skunk, then not Chara.


Will do thanks. After looking, it seems like S. Naiad.

Last edited by TobyH; 02/13/23 02:46 PM.
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,099
Likes: 22
R
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Hall of Fame
Lunker
Offline
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Hall of Fame
Lunker
R
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,099
Likes: 22
Originally Posted by TobyH
So we closed on the property today!! I wasn't able to take a PH meter so i'll do that soon. I saw about 2 dozen 8-12" LMB but they weren't interested in the little slider i took to throw. I threw out about 15 times and caught 12 trout. So, they're doing well but i doubt they'll make the summer here. Also took a pic of the vegetation that does seem to be prevalent.

Next steps are to test water, stock some BG maybe some HBG and add structure. I'll talk to the MDC guy and see what they had in mind when they stocked it last year.
I am based in St Louis, and don't think MDC will stock private ponds....They only supply fry/fingerlings in new ponds. Plus, having Missouri state supplied fish makes your pond "Waters of the State". They can not force you to allow trespassing for just anyone to fish, but if they want, they can charge you the value of the adult fish in the pond if "public" fishing is not allowed somewhat....This is rare for them to do because of the negative PR....All that said, the ONLY fish you can legally stock in your pond now, without written permission from the state, because you have their fish in it, is Fathead Minnow. Until you kill off the pond and sterilize it, the pond will remain Waters of the State.....excerpt from part of the MDC info.....Pond owners who accept fish from the Conservation Department retain full rights to control access to their ponds. Accepting the free fish doesn't obligate them to allow fishing or other uses on their land by the public. However, ponds stocked by the Conservation Department are subject to provisions of the Wildlife Code of Missouri. The fish can't be bought or sold, and statewide fishing regulations must be observed. Those restrictions do not apply to pond owners who buy fish from commercial sources. FWIW, you could kill off the pond, restock with far better quality fish and stocking rates than the MDC standard of 500 BG, 100 LMB and 100 CC per acre, and be catching 4+ pound bass at the end of year two....The MDC plan barely gets you two pounders in year 3...Plus, you will not have to have a fishing license, or follow state regs that require permission/permit to stock any fish in "State Waters". Also, don't add Hybrid Bluegill as they will revert to their Green Sunfish genetics and harm your forage base...they also don't grow bigger then straight BG

Last edited by Rainman; 02/14/23 11:57 PM.


1 member likes this: Shorthose
Page 1 of 2 1 2

Link Copied to Clipboard
Today's Birthdays
Bob Lusk, GaryK, GrizzFan, PhotographerDave
Recent Posts
Happy Birthday Bob Lusk!!
by Rainman - 03/28/24 02:53 AM
Relative weight charts in Excel ? Calculations?
by Mark Dyer - 03/27/24 10:18 PM
Reducing fish biomass
by esshup - 03/27/24 06:17 PM
New 2 acre pond stocking plan
by esshup - 03/27/24 06:05 PM
1 year after stocking question
by esshup - 03/27/24 06:02 PM
Questions and Feedback on SMB
by Donatello - 03/27/24 03:10 PM
Paper-shell crayfish and Japanese snails
by Bill Cody - 03/27/24 10:18 AM
Brooder Shiners and Fry, What to do??
by esshup - 03/27/24 08:47 AM
2024 North Texas Optimal BG food Group Buy
by Dave Davidson1 - 03/27/24 08:15 AM
Dewatering bags seeded to form berms?
by esshup - 03/26/24 10:00 PM
Freeze Danger? - Electric Diaphragm Pump
by esshup - 03/26/24 09:47 PM
Newly Uploaded Images
Eagles Over The Pond Yesterday
Eagles Over The Pond Yesterday
by Tbar, December 10
Deer at Theo's 2023
Deer at Theo's 2023
by Theo Gallus, November 13
Minnow identification
Minnow identification
by Mike Troyer, October 6
Sharing the Food
Sharing the Food
by FishinRod, September 9
Nice BGxRES
Nice BGxRES
by Theo Gallus, July 28
Snake Identification
Snake Identification
by Rangersedge, July 12

� 2014 POND BOSS INC. all rights reserved USA and Worldwide

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5