Private pond management help

[snapcrackpop]

I have a friend with a 1/2 acre pond, about 12 feet deep.

It is loaded with LITTLE sunnies, crappies and bass and WEEDS.

Looking for a web site, contact or information to improve the quality of fish. They are likely stunted.

[Powerstroke]

I couldn't find much info on the extension service HSOforum, but it would seem that there would be problems with available oxygen in the water. This pond probably winterkills because its freezes up in the winter. Most of the fish you find are very young cause they are the ones that survive year to year. Older fish have less ability to cope with the stress of winterkill conditions.

Think about adding an aereator year round. From there then you have to worry about the available food sources. In that small of an area it may take some die-off and depredation for a balance to form on the food chain.

[shortfatguy]

I am no expert but i think the problem may be to many fish not enough food so they are stunted. what kind of bait fish are in the pond? may want to try to put some more minnows etc in there possibly a few bigger northerns or bass to eat some of the smaller fish or just start keeping some little guys to make room for the other ones to grow!

[snapcrackpop]

It has an artesian (sp) well, plus it is 10 or 12 feet deep, so no winter kill. I have caught a couple of 2 pound bass from it as well.

Really need to find someone to come look at it and make suggestions. Would the DNR do it?

[Mr. Pike1]

I am more of a believer in genetics when it come to stunted fish. If the gene pool for larger panfish is not present the fish simply will not exceed 6". You need to get a strain of bull sunfish and crappie and it will lead to bull fish over generations. You may want to look to a aerator system to ensure no winter kill

[Mark Christianson]

Snap

If I were you, just call your regional fisheries office and ask their opinion on what to do.

I know a few guys in the MN DNR Fisheries, and they are some pretty cool dudes. Well, one fisheries guy I know can be a real pain.....

If they don't have the ability to help you, I am certain they can point you in the proper direction.

[snapcrackpop]

Thanks BLB.

I was thinking about the DNR, but thought I would check with FM site first for a direction or people with previous experience.

I just sent an email to the DNR in Waterville.

[BLACKJACK]

There was a good article in one of the recent Outdoor News about stunted sunfish. Their conclusion was that it wasn't a problem with genetics but a problem that people kept taking the biggest sunfish, they kept getting thrown in the fry pan and didn't have time to grow big.

[BLACKJACK]

I think you need some more big predator fish to keep the small sunfish in check. I've read some good articles on the combo of bass and sunfish in private ponds and the key seemed to be not harvesting the big bass, leave them in the pond.

Update us on what you find out and how it turns out. I have a 5 acre pond that I've been thinking about turning into a fish pond, since there aren't ducks around anymore. I'm contemplating getting a backhoe in to dig a 40 foot hole and the putting in an aereator. Then I'd stock with bass and sunfish, and maybe a few walleyes and pike - more predator fish if possible.

[BLACKJACK]

snapcrackpop, your post revived my interest in creating a fish pond, so I went out to dogpile and typed in 'small pond management'. There is a ton of info out there!!! They reaffirmed what I said earlier, its important to keep the predator/prey relationship, stock the sunfish/bass at a 5/1 relationship and don't overharvest the bass. Good luck!

[snapcrackpop]

This pond has hardly ever been fished, from what I understand. And the fish that are caught are hardly ever eaten. I helped them catch fish about a week ago, showed them how to filet them. They said they were great. We did not keep the bass, because I would rather eat sunnies.

Good luck alterating a natural pond. I think DNR might have issues with that...

I will let you know if I get any response from the DNR.

I'll check out dogpile, like you said.

[Chris Haley]

Bass are the key to panfish control. And one big carp would help with the weeds.

[snapcrackpop]

can you tell me more about how the carp help with weed control?