Maintaining a balanced BG/LMB pond is like balancing on the edge of a knife blade. It takes understanding what is occurring and taking the needed management steps. You are the apex predator not the LMB and you have to exercise harvest management. It is unquestioned that the biggest factor in poor fish condition is insufficient food. Poor condition in a population is proof that food resources are missing. Survival of the species is the driving factor in fish reproducing until the pond is overcrowded with its kind. Both BG and LMB exhibit this trait and that is why balance is difficult. That is why you see ponds along a spectrum from BG stunted to LMB stunted.

Having LMB that are 22+ inches long with a 5 lb. head and a 3 lb. body often result from a pond having the 6+ inch BG population reduced to a low level after the LMB got big. They got enough food to get to 22+ but thereafter not enough to maintain their condition.

Last edited by ewest; 09/20/18 09:34 AM.