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Message
Pond Management - Overpopulated 5 acre pond
Posted on 4/4/12 at 3:57 pm
Posted on 4/4/12 at 3:57 pm
My MIL has a 5 acre pond in E TX that is overpopulated. The pond is spring fed and has a deep end where it is dammed up (15+ feet).
Over the past month I have pulled over 100 bass out of the pond, with maybe 5 being over a pound. Also, the pond has large numbers of good size coppernose bluegill and 1.5-3 lb catfish. Both the bass and catfish look stunted (BIG heads with comparatively little bodies).
So, how long should I continue to keep/kill every fish I catch and when will I start seeing decent sized bass on a regular basis (FWIW I caught a 7lb bass out of there last September)? Is there some ratio of acreage to pounds of fish I should keep?
Over the past month I have pulled over 100 bass out of the pond, with maybe 5 being over a pound. Also, the pond has large numbers of good size coppernose bluegill and 1.5-3 lb catfish. Both the bass and catfish look stunted (BIG heads with comparatively little bodies).
So, how long should I continue to keep/kill every fish I catch and when will I start seeing decent sized bass on a regular basis (FWIW I caught a 7lb bass out of there last September)? Is there some ratio of acreage to pounds of fish I should keep?
7
Posted on 4/4/12 at 3:59 pm to The Last Coco
Do it until it becomes at least a little difficult to catch them. You're not going to deplete it with rod/reel. Not one person anyway. I've seen this transform a pond. Took about 3 years.
Posted on 4/4/12 at 4:02 pm to The Last Coco
First off, I'd invite Slickback.
Second, I'd continue keeping them until you aren't catching them so fast. Once the population goes back down they should begin to gain size.
There are some ratios and companies that will come out and give you a report if you want to go that route.
I've read that adding a couple thousand flathead minnows will also help to increase the size of the fish as well. Pond Boss is a badass website with people a lot more intelligent than me on the subject.
Second, I'd continue keeping them until you aren't catching them so fast. Once the population goes back down they should begin to gain size.
There are some ratios and companies that will come out and give you a report if you want to go that route.
I've read that adding a couple thousand flathead minnows will also help to increase the size of the fish as well. Pond Boss is a badass website with people a lot more intelligent than me on the subject.
Posted on 4/4/12 at 4:02 pm to The Last Coco
LSU ag center will send you a free pond management book. Guess lots of different factors such as pond age and when it was stocked will factor in. If I recall they suggested 12lbs of bass per yr be pulled out on a 1 ac pond and more on the bluegill.
Posted on 4/4/12 at 4:03 pm to Slickback
Posted on 4/4/12 at 4:03 pm to LSUEnvy
Posted on 4/4/12 at 4:06 pm to The Last Coco
Two sticks of dynamite ought to do the trick if you don't want to invite slickback.
Posted on 4/4/12 at 4:11 pm to Slickback
I've been toying with the idea of doing an OB pond/kayak tourney out there culminating with a pig roast/fish fry (pagin BP... we know you're lurking).
I could supply the pond and Cajun microwave, everyone could bring their yak's, and BP could drive over and bring a hog or two.
I could supply the pond and Cajun microwave, everyone could bring their yak's, and BP could drive over and bring a hog or two.
Posted on 4/4/12 at 4:17 pm to The Last Coco
Dibs on Mung's extra yak!
Posted on 4/4/12 at 4:20 pm to AlxTgr
i wouldnt worry about stocking anything else. fathead minnows will probably be eaten pretty quick. like others said, pull out as many bass as you can.
Posted on 4/4/12 at 4:24 pm to The Last Coco
i wanna come play.
Damn working for a living blows arse.
Damn working for a living blows arse.
Posted on 4/4/12 at 4:24 pm to The Last Coco
quote:
I've been toying with the idea of doing an OB pond/kayak tourney o
That, or just inviting a few friends out a couple weekends and taking as many out as possible is a good start.
Posted on 4/4/12 at 4:38 pm to The Last Coco
LINKI've read that a winter draw down can help overpopulation. If you are able, drain half the water out from nov to feb. condenses the fish, makes feeding easier and thins out the population. If you don't have a drain through the dam this is obviously not an option unless the cost of a large pump is not a concern for you.
ETA link
ETA link
This post was edited on 4/4/12 at 4:44 pm
Posted on 4/4/12 at 4:41 pm to The Last Coco
quote:
overpopulated.
Are you just saying it is overpopulated with bass or with other fish as well. Can't be totally overpopulated or you would have had a nice fish kill last year.
quote:
1.5-3 lb catfish. Both the bass and catfish look stunted (BIG heads with comparatively little bodies).
Are the catfish being fed? Feeding them regularly will help make them fat and sassy. Plus, it will help the bream get bigger.
As a general rule, I would keep every fish you catch (especially the bream). You wouldn't be able to hurt a 5 acre pond with a rod and reel.
Posted on 4/4/12 at 4:42 pm to The Last Coco
I think I would be more concerned with the catfish eating everything in sight, and try to fish those out more than anything. I'm no expert but I've always heard that anything under 5 acres is gonna have problems with both cats and bass. Still gonna have to thin the bass out too if you want them to put on any size.
Posted on 4/4/12 at 4:44 pm to TheDrunkenTigah
quote:
I've always heard that anything under 5 acres is gonna have problems with both cats and bass.
We've had them in the same ponds for over 25 years and never had a problem.
Posted on 4/4/12 at 4:46 pm to TheDrunkenTigah
quote:
I think I would be more concerned with the catfish eating everything in sight, and try to fish those out more than anything. I'm no expert but I've always heard that anything under 5 acres is gonna have problems with both cats and bass. Still gonna have to thin the bass out too if you want them to put on any size.
Had a two acre pond in La with bass and bream. We put some catfish in there and it all but destroyed bass fishing. All we caught from then on were very small.
Posted on 4/4/12 at 4:48 pm to TigerDeacon
Just the bass are over populated really. I could care less about the cats, but they are fun to catch for people who never fish. They just look stunted is all. I pulled a 5lb catfish (weighed it - not just a guess) out of the pond on Sunday that had the head of an 8-10lb fish.
I don't have the time or money to feed, so that's out.
It sounds like best course of action is to keep either everything I catch or just all the bass I catch. I think I can realistically pull 50 bass out every month on average.
I don't have the time or money to feed, so that's out.
It sounds like best course of action is to keep either everything I catch or just all the bass I catch. I think I can realistically pull 50 bass out every month on average.
Posted on 4/4/12 at 4:48 pm to RogerTheShrubber
Do you think the catfish are eating the big bass?
I just don't see it.
The only problem I have with both of them in the same pond is when a 10lb catfish hits a spinnerbait and I think I've got the world record bass on the line for 30 seconds.
I just don't see it.
The only problem I have with both of them in the same pond is when a 10lb catfish hits a spinnerbait and I think I've got the world record bass on the line for 30 seconds.
Posted on 4/4/12 at 4:50 pm to TigerDeacon
quote:
Do you think the catfish are eating the big bass?
I just don't see it.
Nah, I think the catfish were eating the pond out of being a healthy habitat. Maybe too many catfish for the pond, not sure but the bass fishing went to hell.
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