John,

If that pond had chara and GSF it would be very much like how ponds in Osage Co, OK get when they are left to their own. One doesn't like to imagine such a condition as a "balance" but in fact it is and it is quite sustainable. The oldest bass grow ill and die but tend to less than 3 lbs. The larger the bass, the scarcer the GSF ... but the GSF are large in these BOWs. When I would gain permission to fish a new pond I would harvest as many fish as I could over 10". It was amazing how this improved the condition of LMB. An endless supply of newer, better conditioned LMB would follow. As Eric said, the APEX predator needs to be man and I can vouch that harvest is very good for a mature fishery. Most would never be interested in a BOW that produces a consistent supply of 12" LMB but for a young man who enjoyed fishing and eating fish, I couldn't have asked for more. smile

It isn't what we don't know that gives us trouble, it's what we know that ain't so - Will Rogers