Farm Pond info in GRIT

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Thought these might be of interest to some here, from that American classic, GRIT - - .

Farm Pond Management:

http://www.grit.com/departments/farm-pond-management.aspx?newslette...

Fish Stocking in Farm Ponds:

http://www.grit.com/animals/fish-stocking-in-farm-ponds.aspx#axzz39...

[Walt Foreman]

The advice offered in both articles on fish stocking and management is pretty rudimentary and outdated, to put it mildly.  For instance, the biologist who makes the blanket statement that anytime most of the bass are 12" are less, bass should be harvested, is about fifty years behind the curve.  Most state DNRs, which are not always the most forward-thinking, still recognize that an overabundance of small bass is key to growing trophy bluegill.  Even my home state, which is pretty laissez-faire with many of its regulations and advice, notes as much in their literature on pond management.  

Likewise with the blanket advice to stock 100 channel cats per acre, which is awful advice if you want to maximize either your bass or your bluegill.  

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Well, I feel bad then for putting it out there.
But maybe some of our readers will be taught the right way with your help.

[Tony Livingston]

Remember also that most state agencies, as well as  many, very knowledgeable pond professionals tend to base their recs on the notion that folks desire a balanced pond.......and a great many pondowners do in fact. There are no "one size fits all" pond strategies, and in a lot of cases the pros and state biologists are simply covering the bases with the majority in mind.

Having said that, a great deal of info is based on principles that are better understood today, and in keeping with that theme the older strategies might not be optimum advice anymore. We're fortunate to have access to cutting edge material and ideas here at BBG as well as over at PondBoss, and I would encourage anyone desiring to manage their pond to try and seek out many different opinions and experiences..

Thanks for posting David....we should always appreciate the ways and means that allowed us to achieve our goals, even if they came about simply due to someone saying "there has to be a better way"......Progress, that's what counts.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Nice Tony, thanks.
It came up in my email and was just sharing.
You know I don't know doodly about pond management!

[Walt Foreman]

I didn't mean in any way to criticize your intent, David.  I just wouldn't want people to read those articles and take them as gospel.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

I consider the readership of GRIT - most don't manage for bluegill specifically.
Bass and catfish are the likeliest intent for the rural man with a pond. I mean, any I talk to, the first thing out their mouth is, "bass."
If they stock gills, it's as forage for the bass. That's kinda the extent of 'balance' in their esteem.
So the articles may have struck the mark for those guys. The folks here are always going on about ponds and managing them, so I figured it might'a make for conversation.

[Tony Livingston]

I have to keep reminding myself that not everyone manages for, or desires, a pond full of trophy bluegills. It's become such a part of my life that I am guilty of just assuming that everyone feels like I do.....this is after all, BigBluegill.com!

However, for many they simply want a place to wet a line, catch a few for supper, (of any variety), and have little to no further out-of-pocket expenses once the initial stocking efforts are accomplished. And that's fine. Shoot, it sounds downright relaxing!!

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Nailed it, Tony.

[DAVID L EITUTIS]

HEY TONY ,

 Yup not everyone on here manages a pond , but we wish we did !!!! Your last statement tells all what i'ts all about for most of us on here, ' JUST PLAIN RELAXING " !!!

[Jim Gronaw]

I am no biologist, but 100 catfish per acre seems awfully high to me if you are managing for quality bass or gills. At 100 cats per acre I would think that may be a strategy for pond owners who wish to raise catfish for routine harvest and food. Additional feeding efforts may be helpful in such a case to get catties to a 'eating'size.'

Then again, if it were I, I'd rather have the small bass/big bluegill makeup to help the chance for trophy gills of 10" or greater.

But I'm not a biologist.