Bass lake questions

[Sticks&Strings]

So, as usual, my dad had a lake enlarged. But didnt rid it if all the fish. He called a fishery and they told him he needed to buy the same sized fish as we knew were in there, or the existing fish would eat them. Issue is, a 3lb bass cost $75 each.

He asked about poisoning them. They said they could do it but the issue was the poison will also kill cattle, so that is a no go.

So here are my questions.

1. Do people still use roatnone (sp) to take the oxygen out of water, and is it safe for cattle?

2. Will 3lb. Bass eat 1lb bass?

3. Any other known options? They indicated that shocking them with electricity wouldn't be very effective.

Fyi, pond is now about 4 acres with water flowing into and out of it. Probably somewhere between 10-14 feet deep.

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[xman59]

Originally Posted by Sticks&Strings

So, as usual, my dad had a lake enlarged. But didnt rid it if all the fish. He called a fishery and they told him he needed to buy the same sized fish as we knew were in there, or the existing fish would eat them. Issue is, a 3lb bass cost $75 each.

He asked about poisoning them. They said they could do it but the issue was the poison will also kill cattle, so that is a no go.

So here are my questions.

1. Do people still use roatnone (sp) to take the oxygen out of water, and is it safe for cattle?

2. Will 3lb. Bass eat 1lb bass?

3. Any other known options? They indicated that shocking them with electricity wouldn't be very effective.

Fyi, pond is now about 4 acres with water flowing into and out of it. Probably somewhere between 10-14 feet deep.

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the big fish will eat the smaller fish in the pond regardless if they "grew" up in the pond or were introduced,,, it is what big fish do.... now a large influx of small fish will likely lead to losing many of them,,, but if you put nothing in the big fish will not go hungry either,, .

if you can close off part of the pond with nets or fencing to keep the bigger ones out and place cover for the smaller fish in that area , the probability of the "introduced fish" surviving longer and getting some size goes up,,

[jshouse]

Why are we trying to rid it of all the fish? Why aren't we just feeding the current fish and letting them grow?

Maybe I'm not following as I've never enlarged a pond.

[TX CHICKEN]

Get on here...

https://forums.pondboss.com
I would think as long as you stocked some minnows at the same time it would help the survival rate?


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[Walker]

Put in a bunch of shiners and perch. Lots of natural hatch bass survive with bigger bass around.

[unclefish]

Yes people still use rotenone and its safe for cattle. What is he trying to accomplish with the lake?


Unless he is just wanting new bass genetics I see no need to stock additional bass. Bass are absolutely prolific. The spawn is coming up here in a few weeks and he will have thousands of new fry to populate the additional acreage. Yes most will be eaten but there will be plenty left over for the additional acreage.

If I were him I would enjoy the low numbers of bass right now....this lets them grow bigger faster. In two years he will be wanting to remove mouths if its anything like my lake.

[Playa]

Add me to the list of not understanding what he is trying to accomplish? What is the objective and how does the current population of bass impede that objective

[Sticks&Strings]

I think his main goal is to increase the population and have some big f1 genetics. So a 3 pound bass will eat 1 pounders?

Would he be best off to just buy a few 3 pound f1's and a bunch of bait? I dont think the lake has much if any cover btw. But he is going to try to add some.

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[unclefish]

You won't have too many 3 pounders eating 1 lb bass. Especially if you have enough baitfish.

F1's are already hybrids (Florida x Northern) so its a one shot deal with that generation you stock....the subsequent fish they produce are watered down unlike introducing pure Florida bass.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Sticks&Strings

I think his main goal is to increase the population and have some big f1 genetics. So a 3 pound bass will eat 1 pounders?

Would he be best off to just buy a few 3 pound f1's and a bunch of bait? I dont think the lake has much if any cover btw. But he is going to try to add some.

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A 3lb fish will absolutely eat a 1lb fish. I would add cover a priority. Next would be to determine the amount of bait fish currently in the lake. Stock accordingly if lacking. After you have the items above squared away then you can stock or let nature run its course through spawning. With good cover a forage you will have successful spawns.

[CEO]

What Charles said. Get cover and the food chain in line to start. Have you caught any bass from this lake? Are they healthy? If it hasn't been managed chances are it is overpopulated with bass already.

[Chase This!]

We are not using roatnone. We have been killing as many as we can with rod and reel and will shock the rest out next week.

I’m paying $25 for 2-3 pound pure FL bass.

Also getting coppernose bluegill, fathead minnows and tilapia.

We have built a bunch of FADs. I’ll post some pics.

[Chase This!]

One of our designs.




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[Chase This!]

Originally Posted by Sticks&Strings

Would he be best off to just buy a few 3 pound f1's and a bunch of bait? I dont think the lake has much if any cover btw. But he is going to try to add some.

No. Native genetics will dominate. You have to wipe them out. Your best bet is to wipe out as many as you can and then buy 2-3 pound FL who will eat the remaining natives.

[Razorback01]

Why not let mother nature take her course? Stock with bait, and I'll admit I'm no expert.

[Chase This!]

Originally Posted by Razorback01

Why not let mother nature take her course? Stock with bait, and I'll admit I'm no expert.

If his goal is to grow 10# plus bass (which is my goal), really need those good FL genetics. Growing 10# bass is a lot like growing a 200” deer. Need genetics, food and age (and structure).

[WestTXHunter]

So many questions need to be answered before being able to put together a game plan for you. So here goes... How big is the lake? How deep is the lake? What are the depth measurements across the lake by quadrant? What species of fish are in the lake? How old is the lake? That’s just a few of the questions that need to be answered. A “Fishery” is not the place to get answers. Be glad to help you. If your Dad wants to make his lake an awesome lake it’s going to take more than throwing a few fish in and hoping for the best. PM me with answers to those questions if you want.

[Sticks&Strings]

Originally Posted by WestTXHunter

So many questions need to be answered before being able to put together a game plan for you. So here goes... How big is the lake? How deep is the lake? What are the depth measurements across the lake by quadrant? What species of fish are in the lake? How old is the lake? That’s just a few of the questions that need to be answered. A “Fishery” is not the place to get answers. Be glad to help you. If your Dad wants to make his lake an awesome lake it’s going to take more than throwing a few fish in and hoping for the best. PM me with answers to those questions if you want.

No idea about by quadrant. But the lake was originally about 1/2 acre, maybe a tad bigger. It is now about 4 acres and 10-14' deep. There are bass, catfish, and a few crappie in it. Nothing of note. We have fished it for years and it doesn't produce much, and I would think it is due to lack of structure. I know it needs a bunch. The old lake was built in 1994. It was just enlarged this month, or finished this month. It is creek fed.

Probably biggest fish in it is about 3 pounds.

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[rut-ro]

We’ve had good luck with ours by just adding new fish in and feeding them 20 pounds of minnows 3 times a year. We ad in bluegill once a year. We take small bass and crappie out a lot as well. Fish store lost all of their Florida bass last week during the freeze. They were out of regular goat head minnows but had theses salmon looking ones In stock

[Chew]

Originally Posted by Sticks&Strings

It is creek fed.

Just curious. What type of dam/ overflow system do yall have?

[Sticks&Strings]

Originally Posted by Chew

Just curious. What type of dam/ overflow system do yall have?

I haven't seen it in person yet. I'll take a picture when I get back up there.

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[Sticks&Strings]

Originally Posted by Chase This!

We are not using roatnone. We have been killing as many as we can with rod and reel and will shock the rest out next week.

I’m paying $25 for 2-3 pound pure FL bass.

Also getting coppernose bluegill, fathead minnows and tilapia.

We have built a bunch of FADs. I’ll post some pics.

Where are you buying your fish from?

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[Sticks&Strings]

Originally Posted by Chase This!

One of our designs.




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Any more details or pictures of this? What is the base and frame made of?

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[Cajun Blake]

Originally Posted by Sticks&Strings

Any more details or pictures of this? What is the base and frame made of?

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Looks like a black plastic pallet for the base with palmettos for foliage & cover. The pallets are used by nurseries.




Instead of poisoning or choking the oxygen, would it be easier, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly to use electricity and pick up the floaters ? I have no clue if that’s considered “legal” on a private pond when the goal is to remove all fish.


.

[TXhoghunter94]

Tagged

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[JFFB]

Originally Posted by Sticks&Strings

Where are you buying your fish from?

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I would delete this Quick.


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[Chase This!]

Correct. Plastic pallets.

[Chase This!]

Originally Posted by JFFB

I would delete this Quick.


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Why?

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Sticks&Strings

No idea about by quadrant. But the lake was originally about 1/2 acre, maybe a tad bigger. It is now about 4 acres and 10-14' deep. There are bass, catfish, and a few crappie in it. Nothing of note. We have fished it for years and it doesn't produce much, and I would think it is due to lack of structure. I know it needs a bunch. The old lake was built in 1994. It was just enlarged this month, or finished this month. It is creek fed.

Probably biggest fish in it is about 3 pounds.

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Are the fish you've caught have big heads and skinny bodies?

[Sticks&Strings]

Originally Posted by JFFB

I would delete this Quick.


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Why?

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[Roscoe]

I would not be too concerned about 3lb bass eating your 1lb bass.


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[BrandonA]

Kill it and start from scratch. Bait fish first and let them get established. Then add bass

[Sticks&Strings]

Originally Posted by BrandonA

Kill it and start from scratch. Bait fish first and let them get established. Then add bass

The issue is we dont know how to safely kill it without killing cattle. They said they didnt think shocking it would help too much for some reason.

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[Billy Bad Bass]

You may want to talk to a pond management company. Doing a survey to estimate species and size of fish in the pond would answer may questions about what to do next to get closer to your desired outcome.. Crappie and bluegills/perch can get to a size where they are no longer forage for the bass and become competitors for the available baitfish. There are many questions to answer not unlike managing a ranch for optimal deer production.

[BrandonA]

Roteneno won’t hurt livestock or wildlife

[jlinville]

These aren't my photos (just pulled off the net), but I have seen this on the water several times.
Yes, a 3lber will eat a 1lber.

[Sticks&Strings]

Originally Posted by Chase This!

Why?

Could you please let me know where you are getting your fish from? I tried to pm you, but your mailbox is full.

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[Sticks&Strings]

Originally Posted by Billy Bad Bass

You may want to talk to a pond management company. Doing a survey to estimate species and size of fish in the pond would answer may questions about what to do next to get closer to your desired outcome.. Crappie and bluegills/perch can get to a size where they are no longer forage for the bass and become competitors for the available baitfish. There are many questions to answer not unlike managing a ranch for optimal deer production.

Probably a good idea.

If you or anyone has a pond consultant please send me their information.

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[Chase This!]

Originally Posted by Sticks&Strings

Probably a good idea.

If you or anyone has a pond consultant please send me their information.

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https://www.clearwaterconsulting.com


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[Sticks&Strings]

Originally Posted by Chase This!

https://www.clearwaterconsulting.com


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Thx

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[Chase This!]

Originally Posted by Sticks&Strings

Thx

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NP!

And I lied. I’m paying $75 each for the bass. Sorry.

[glen]

Add PVC trees, artificial one piece Christmas trees, heck just cut a large cedar trees and drag in water ans weight down. Start adding baitfish and your 3lb bass will have plenty of forage.