Population mgt with LMB and BG can be a huge issue and very frustrating especially in larger ponds with limited fishing. Taking out 20-30 lbs of LMB a year in the 8-12 inch size every year can be a task for one or two fishermen. If those same fish could be fed to the bigger LMB it would help a lot. Keep in mind that the 20-30 lbs (southern ponds) is only what the human cull is suggested and does not include natural mortalities. If you have a lot of big LMB then your cull #s could go down substantially. Neither the task nor the science behind proper cull amounts is easy . It truly does "all depend" on the factors present and goals as noted in posts above.
The best easy rule I have seen is provided by Professor Richard Anderson who literally wrote the book on population analysis.
From an archived thread :
For LMB
This is what is suggested by Dick Anderson - the Prof who wrote the book on PSD.
Keep taking <12 in bass until the number 8-12 equals number 12-15.
Ideal pond structure is 40% 8-12, 40% 12-15 and 20% 15+
This assumes good fish condition.
Another suggestion is take out all the fish in poor condition in all size groups. Note the size group that is stunted will have a much higher % of fish in poor condition.
These are all correlated to the concept of RW mgt.
Here are 3 archive links with a ton of info on the subject.
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=255372#Post255372http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=255359 http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=92492#Post92492 If the only method of removal is hook and line then you need to consider the catchibility issue which underlies your question about genetics.
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