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POND MANAGEMENT

POND MANAGEMENT. STOCK IT RIGHT MANAGE IT RIGHT. Predator/Prey Relationship. Predator = Largemouth bass Prey = Bluegill Inverse relationship. POND CHARACTERISTICS. < 1/2 ACRE OR MURKY – C. CATFISH ONLY Rate=200/acre >1/2 ACRE & > 12” WATER CLARITY LARGEMOUTH BASS, BLUEGILL, AND

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POND MANAGEMENT

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  1. POND MANAGEMENT STOCK IT RIGHT MANAGE IT RIGHT

  2. Predator/Prey Relationship • Predator = Largemouth bass • Prey = Bluegill • Inverse relationship

  3. POND CHARACTERISTICS < 1/2 ACRE OR MURKY – C. CATFISH ONLY Rate=200/acre >1/2 ACRE & > 12” WATER CLARITY • LARGEMOUTH BASS, BLUEGILL, AND • CHANNEL CATFISH

  4. FISH SUPPLIERS • KANSAS PRODUCERS • OUT OF STATE PRODUCERS

  5. STOCKING RATIOS/COST • Species (FING.) #/ACRE COST • LARGEMOUTH BASS 100 $ 90 • CHANNEL CATFISH 100 $ 50 • BLUEGILL 500 $ 250 • FATHEAD MINNOWS 3 LBS $ 33 • TOTAL COST /ACRE $ 423

  6. STOCKING STRATEGY • WATER DEPTH – 6 FOOT MIN. • SEASON – SPRING OR FALL • ALL OR SPLIT • CONTAINERS • WATER QUANTITY – 35 gal/700 fing • ACCLIMATION

  7. FISH MANAGEMENT • INITIAL 4 YEARS – 15” MINIMUM LENGTH LIMIT ON LARGEMOUTH BASS

  8. MANAGEMENT OPTIONS • PANFISH OPTION • ALL PURPOSE OPTION • BIG BASS OPTION

  9. PANFISH OPTION • OBJECTIVE – BIG BLUEGILL • NEED GOOD WATER CLARITY, AT LEAST 18” • 15” MINIMUM LENGTH LIMIT – LM BASS

  10. ALL PURPOSE OPTION • OBJECTIVE – DECENT ALL AROUND FISHERY • CHANGE TO 12-15” SLOT LENGTH LIMIT ON LARGEMOUTH BASS • HARVEST 30, 8-12” LM BASS/ACRE/YR

  11. BIG BASS OPTION

  12. BIG BASS OPTION • OBJECTIVE – PRODUCE TROPHY LM BASS • CHANGE TO 12-15” SLOT LENGTH LIMIT • HARVEST 30-50, 8-12” LM BASS/ACRE/YR • HARVEST 5, 12-15” LM BASS/ACRE/YR • OPTIONAL – STOCK GIZZARD SHAD

  13. WHAT ABOUT CRAPPIE! • Stock 20 adult black crappie after largemouth bass are well established and the pond has a quality bluegill population • There is some risk associated with stocking crappie, as they can stunt

  14. FEEDING • Sinking or floating • Water Temps > 60 • 15 minute clean-up • Maximum 20 lbs/acre/day

  15. SUPPLEMENTAL STOCKING • Channel catfish – Dependent upon harvest, number restocked = # harvested + 10%, must exceed 8” long • Largemouth bass – Normally not necessary • Bluegill – Normally not necessary

  16. Corrective Stocking – No or Low Largemouth bass density • Stock 50 8-12 inch largemouth bass per acre

  17. Stunted Largemouth bass • Enjoy the big bluegill ! • Or implement a 12-15 slot length limit on largemouth bass, and harvest 30 8-12 inch bass/acre/year. May have to increase harvest rate to 50 bass/acre/year, if 30 does not work.

  18. Sources • Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Website www.kdwpt.state.ks.us • Kansas Aquaculture Association Website www.wildlife.k-state.edu/kaa/ • Dunn’s Fish Farm Website www.dunnsfishfarm.com

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