On culling, is it better to get them out pre spawn or wait a few weeks till post spawn? I was thinking about doing a single day fishing derby and fish fry and inviting out some family and buddy’s for a safe social distancing outdoor event with 7-10 guys keeping everything in that 9-13” range. Is there a benefit to doing it before or after spawn?
That is a thought provoking question. If done pre-spawn, then perhaps fewer fingerlings are produced but because of pre-spawn harvest fewer are cannibalized. Then the vice-versa if done post-spawn, more fingerlings are produced but perhaps more are cannibalized. It might depend on how long after the spawn one begins culling in order to the give the culls a chance to thin 0 year recruits. Maybe the best is pre-spawn if goal is reducing recruitment. All in all it may balance. To be sure, the culling will help with growth and RW either way.
