Pond and Lake Management Thread

[Sippy]

What can you do without paying for a survey?

FISH!

One of the first thing i ask a client is if they have catch records. It is very helpful and does not take much time to record a quick length and/or weight. We can quickly calculate the relative weight of each fish from these records and have a good idea of what is going on under the water.

It is just one easy tool, but it is cheap and effective.

[BrandonA]

Originally Posted by SuperExotics

Same idea as the Camelot Belle to a point. The have a faster growth rate and are very aggressive feeders.

My thoughts, you better be ready to feed them.

We caught or first DD Camelot 4 yrs after stocking as a fingerling. They do grow fast

[Huntingfool]

Originally Posted by BrandonA

We caught or first DD Camelot 4 yrs after stocking as a fingerling. They do grow fast

Brandon - when you put your Floridas in how big were they? I put in 1.5 to 3 pounders - just curious how long it takes for them reach the 6-8 pound level? Also do you keep your feeder going during the winter months? Thanks

[BrandonA]

Originally Posted by Huntingfool

Brandon - when you put your Floridas in how big were they? I put in 1.5 to 3 pounders - just curious how long it takes for them reach the 6-8 pound level? Also do you keep your feeder going during the winter months? Thanks

They were fingerlings about 1-2” long. I am just starting to feed or will soon. If you have the food source they should put on 2lbs per yr with some growing faster

[Sippy]

.

[BrandonA]

I’m not an expert at this but we let our baitfish have 3 yrs to flourish before we stocked Camelots. My belief is you have to establish the baitfish before you put your gamefish in

[Sippy]

Originally Posted by BrandonA

I’m not an expert at this but we let our baitfish have 3 yrs to flourish before we stocked Camelots. My belief is you have to establish the baitfish before you put your gamefish in

That was a great plan

[Sticks&Strings]

Originally Posted by FreedomFish20

i recommend using cedar if it is present on the property...bundling 3-4 small cedars (1-3inch diameter) wrapping them tight with Romex cable with a cement block. it provides good cover stays in place and helps clean up cedar around property.

Oh wow, I am going to do this for sure. Thx

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[BrandonA]

Originally Posted by SuperExotics

That was a great plan

Yes sir. People want to get in a hurry but if you want to grow trophy bass it’s a slow process and a tedious process

[Huntingfool]

Originally Posted by SuperExotics

That was a great plan

I have had baitfish in my pond for 4 years and fed the heck out of them before I put my Floridas in the pond - plenty of food for those boys and girls - time will tell

[BrandonA]

Originally Posted by Huntingfool

I have had baitfish in my pond for 4 years and fed the heck out of them before I put my Floridas in the pond - plenty of food for those boys and girls - time will tell

If you have done that then you should see amazing results. When did you do this ? And did you stick any other gamefish ?

[Huntingfool]

put the Floridas in about a month ago - pond only has bluegill, grass carp, and native bass - no catfish or other game fish

[BrandonA]

Will Camelot’s or Florida feed on fish pellets?

[Huntingfool]

The ones I bought are not pellet trained

[unclefish]

Originally Posted by BrandonA

Will Camelot’s or Florida feed on fish pellets?

My son bought some Lonestar Legacy (Camelot Bell lineage) bass from Todd Overton last year just for the purpose of feed training them. You may know my son's full time job is is youtube fishing channel where he works with fish. He's got alot of experience feed training and working with feed trained bass. Its been a struggle for him with these LL Floridas.

Overton's has tried to feed train them as well with very subpar results.

Side note: his LL bass are growing tremendously well....from 4 inch fingerlings to 13" in 9 months time frame.

[Sippy]

Originally Posted by BrandonA

Will Camelot’s or Florida feed on fish pellets?

Not readily. They are born to be predators.

[LivinADream]

Originally Posted by unclefish

My son bought some Lonestar Legacy (Camelot Bell lineage) bass from Todd Overton last year just for the purpose of feed training them. You may know my son's full time job is is youtube fishing channel where he works with fish. He's got alot of experience feed training and working with feed trained bass. Its been a struggle for him with these LL Floridas.

Overton's has tried to feed train them as well with very subpar results.

Side note: his LL bass are growing tremendously well....from 4 inch fingerlings to 13" in 9 months time frame.

What's his channel?

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[unclefish]

Originally Posted by LivinADream

What's his channel?

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The fish whisperer

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[Sippy]

Originally Posted by unclefish

The fish whisperer

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That’s awesome, I had no idea.

I’d love to chat with him on our podcast sometime.

[The BARn]

Originally Posted by unclefish

The fish whisperer

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watched his channel a few weeks ago. Who knew, Gar could be a pet.

[hog_down]

Buddy of mine got serious with tracking his pond.

LMB = largemouth bass
BG = bluegill

[unclefish]

Originally Posted by SuperExotics

That’s awesome, I had no idea.

I’d love to chat with him on our podcast sometime.

PM me some details and I will ask him.

[unclefish]

Originally Posted by The BARn

watched his channel a few weeks ago. Who knew, Gar could be a pet.

LOL that boy makes everything a pet. Stray dogs and cats, gar, turtles, really doesn't matter. He's about to move to a place where he will have some pet deer.

[LHPanther]

I have a property that has a 10+ acre government lake on it that was built to slowly drain to prevent down river flooding. When it’s full, it’s absolutely beautiful. A game changer to my property. Sadly, is drains quickly. It’s my dream to re-dig it and make it a viable fishery. The county says I can dig it and seal it up as long as I don’t mess with the dam. This thread is killing me lol.

[Sippy]

Originally Posted by LHPanther

I have a property that has a 10+ acre government lake on it that was built to slowly drain to prevent down river flooding. When it’s full, it’s absolutely beautiful. A game changer to my property. Sadly, is drains quickly. It’s my dream to re-dig it and make it a viable fishery. The county says I can dig it and seal it up as long as I don’t mess with the dam. This thread is killing me lol.

If you decide to move forward and would like input let us know!

[BrandonA]

Originally Posted by unclefish

My son bought some Lonestar Legacy (Camelot Bell lineage) bass from Todd Overton last year just for the purpose of feed training them. You may know my son's full time job is is youtube fishing channel where he works with fish. He's got alot of experience feed training and working with feed trained bass. Its been a struggle for him with these LL Floridas.

Overton's has tried to feed train them as well with very subpar results.

Side note: his LL bass are growing tremendously well....from 4 inch fingerlings to 13" in 9 months time frame.

very cool

[Gunnyart]

I'm bummed. This is the first year I've stocked my pond and unless the rains return it's gonna dry out.

[Big pig]

Originally Posted by Gunnyart

I'm bummed. This is the first year I've stocked my pond and unless the rains return it's gonna dry out.

We just cleaned out the huge willows around my tank and haven’t had a runoff rain in 5 months. I was planning on stocking this spring with baitfish and tilapia.
Eastern Brown County

BP

[Sippy]

This is what i like to see. Out of this pond which was constructed and stocked in 2016, all relative weights were over 100% with the exception of 2 bass (82% and 88%).

Large fish of the day 20.25"
5lb 13oz
relative weight= 119%

[BlackHogDown]

Great thread. I've enjoyed reading so far but figured time to share our current pond status. Duval County. Sandy Soil.

Just moved into a new place with ~4 acre established pond. If anything, its TOO clean. Only structure is the dock with tons of panfish (IDK which they are) underneath that are accustomed to the fish feeder. Water is pretty clear with little to no vegetation... As far as you can see from the bank, bottom is bare though there is some bottom vegetation in the middle (based on what we reel in).

From shore, you can see thousands of finger sized minnows (unsure of species) and small bass swimming around with the occasional REALLY big one.

Given the goal of simply catching more fish and the limited information provided, where would be a good place to start improvements? Shallow vegetation, structure addition, aeration?

Thanks a ton for the ideas.

[Sippy]

Add structure. I prefer natural structure like cedars, but mossback makes some good artificial structure. Fertilizer would be a great addition to boost plankton growth for fry.

Start keeping records of what you catch, that will go a long way in telling you the current status of the pond.

[Huntingfool]

I agree - add some structure.

I will say this - I have been on South Texas leases/ranches for years and some of the very best fishing has been on ponds like yours that were clear and with little done to them. I have caught some 10 lb bass out of some of them - ponds were not "managed" or stocked with bait fish, etc.

My guess is it has something to do with the quality of the water versus other parts of the state?

[HogHunter34]

My place I purchased last April has a small pond about 1/3-1/2acre size. Non spring fed
Dug out pretty deep at least I was told. I plan to measure depth once it fills more & warms up more
It currently has catfish & crappie. I noticed the crappie are quite small both this year & last year. I’ve researched that it’s best to stock bass & bluegill when adding crappie to a pond. I’m guessing they are over populated. I really don’t want bass in this small of a pond but would it help to add bluegill this spring?
What else can I do to control the crappie other than just fish & removal to get them to increase in size. Thanks for any tips

[Sippy]

Originally Posted by HogHunter34

My place I purchased last April has a small pond about 1/3-1/2acre size. Non spring fed
Dug out pretty deep at least I was told. I plan to measure depth once it fills more & warms up more
It currently has catfish & crappie. I noticed the crappie are quite small both this year & last year. I’ve researched that it’s best to stock bass & bluegill when adding crappie to a pond. I’m guessing they are over populated. I really don’t want bass in this small of a pond but would it help to add bluegill this spring?
What else can I do to control the crappie other than just fish & removal to get them to increase in size. Thanks for any tips

You are on the right track with only managing for one larger predator. I would keep it a crappie pond and stock various sized bluegill to provide forage as well as brood stock. I would not advise bass as they will heavily compete with crappie.

In that sized pond, you can manage numbers by fishing. We have our own fish farm and are local if you would like any assisstance.

[Huntingfool]

In Taylor tonight - tornado - family is safe - this was their home and all that is left of it - they hid under their stairway - God was with them

[Sippy]

Here is our most recent podcast, an overview of springtime fisheries management.

https://modernmanagementpodcast.buzz...86047/10346429

[Huntingfool]

Originally Posted by Sippy

Here is our most recent podcast, an overview of springtime fisheries management.

https://modernmanagementpodcast.buzz...86047/10346429

Good stuff. I have owned and managed some ponds over the years. Getting professional input like Sippy is invaluable IMO. Otherwise a lot of $$ can be wasted trying to DIY

[Sippy]

Originally Posted by Huntingfool

Good stuff. I have owned and managed some ponds over the years. Getting professional input like Sippy is invaluable IMO. Otherwise a lot of $$ can be wasted trying to DIY

Thank you for the kind words!

[bobc]

Enjoyed both podcasts. Do you accept requests for future topics?


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[Sippy]

Originally Posted by bobc

Enjoyed both podcasts. Do you accept requests for future topics?


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I encourage them! As well as any questions anyone has that we will answer in an episode.

[bobc]

I would enjoy one that covered all things Channel cat in a tank. Just one of many that come to mind.


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[Sippy]

If you have a list shoot them to me in a PM! We don’t manage much for catfish, but I’m certainly open to discussing it in a future episode.

[JeffJ]

Renovated the old pond. Lined it and it is about half full now. Second round of baitfish go in this week and the Camelot Bell bass go in in late May-June. Been feeding the baitfish heavy. Shallow side of the pond has 10 rock piles from 3-5’ tall and 5-8’ in diameter. When full they will all be submerged. Working on some lay downs this next couple weeks. Put in a bunch of structure this weekend.












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[Sippy]

That looks great Jeff!

[Cardinal]

Dream right there!

[MAP]

what does it cost to line a one acre pond? I'm debating options on a smaller pond that I have.

Also does the liner go all the way up the bank? Is there any fear of animals getting into the pond and then not being able to get out because of the slippery plastic? Also on a smaller pond, is it possible that the water would become stagnate with the liner and no rain and no way to naturally drain?

[MAP]

JeffJ, those pictures are awesome. That spot around the oak tree was very nicely done I can just imagine a bench, a fishing pole, and good whiskey many times at that spot.

[BrandonA]

Looks good Jeff. How many Camelots are you putting in? One suggestion I would wait at least a yr to allow the baitfish to establish themselves.

[JeffJ]

Originally Posted by BrandonA

Looks good Jeff. How many Camelots are you putting in? One suggestion I would wait at least a yr to allow the baitfish to establish themselves.

We will be 10.5-11 months after first baitfish went in. How many we put in will depend on how full it is at that point. They recommended I think 100 4-6” or 150 2-3” if it remains at current level.

[JeffJ]

Originally Posted by MAP

what does it cost to line a one acre pond? I'm debating options on a smaller pond that I have.

Also does the liner go all the way up the bank? Is there any fear of animals getting into the pond and then not being able to get out because of the slippery plastic? Also on a smaller pond, is it possible that the water would become stagnate with the liner and no rain and no way to naturally drain?

It has 2-4’ of soil on top of the liner. They rolled it 8 hours a day for almost a week to compact it. We are looking at a solar aerator if the bio thinks we need it. We also have a 2” line run from one of our wells. We can put groundwater in too.