The Pond Boss & Richmond Mill Lake...a legacy in the making - Bluegill - Big Bluegill2024-03-29T12:06:54Zhttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/forum/topics/the-pond-boss-richmond-mill?commentId=2036984%3AComment%3A406290&feed=yes&xn_auth=noYes....
tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2013-08-22:2036984:Comment:4223532013-08-22T13:05:01.424ZJason Preslarhttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/jasonpreslar
<p>Yes....</p>
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<p>Yes....</p>
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<p> </p> $600.00usd to fish there? Is…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2013-08-22:2036984:Comment:4222682013-08-22T11:54:03.949ZMike Davishttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/Mikedavis184
<p>$600.00usd to fish there? Is that correct?</p>
<p>$600.00usd to fish there? Is that correct?</p> I've been checking it out and…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2013-07-06:2036984:Comment:4062902013-07-06T20:45:37.112ZAnna Pagelhttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/AnnaPagel
<p>I've been checking it out and looking at flights. What's a good time to visit Richmond Mill Lake? Bluegill don't grow that big around here and would be super fun to take a trip with my husband. </p>
<p>I've been checking it out and looking at flights. What's a good time to visit Richmond Mill Lake? Bluegill don't grow that big around here and would be super fun to take a trip with my husband. </p> I had the rare opportunity to…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2013-06-01:2036984:Comment:3917742013-06-01T17:27:24.937ZDave Campbellhttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/DaveCampbell
<p>I had the rare opportunity to work on a private park where the goal was raising acid resistant strains of brook trout many years back. The outstanding results were similar to this, however. I got to see brook trout almost every day that the vast majority of folks won't see after a lifetime of chasing trout on public waters. This project, like the one I got to work with, brings me both joy and sadness. It's there, it's real, and it's accomplished things we weren't even sure could be…</p>
<p>I had the rare opportunity to work on a private park where the goal was raising acid resistant strains of brook trout many years back. The outstanding results were similar to this, however. I got to see brook trout almost every day that the vast majority of folks won't see after a lifetime of chasing trout on public waters. This project, like the one I got to work with, brings me both joy and sadness. It's there, it's real, and it's accomplished things we weren't even sure could be accomplished. At the same time, how many average fisherfolk out there will ever get the chance to fish it or to see a live 3lb bluegill? Just imagine what we could do if we could apply our resources to this sort of management on the public waters throughout this county!</p> I have never had or considere…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2013-03-27:2036984:Comment:3672512013-03-27T11:08:35.493ZJoe N. Birdwellhttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/JoeNBirdwell
<p>I have never had or considered a "bucket list" BUT I DO HAVE ONE NOW! and Richmond Mill is the only thing on it!</p>
<p>I have never had or considered a "bucket list" BUT I DO HAVE ONE NOW! and Richmond Mill is the only thing on it!</p> Thanks Bob....we appreciate y…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2013-02-03:2036984:Comment:3486132013-02-03T14:32:50.165ZTony Livingstonhttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/TonyLivingston
<p>Thanks Bob....we appreciate you taking the time to share info with us. It's great seeing you here!</p>
<p>Thanks Bob....we appreciate you taking the time to share info with us. It's great seeing you here!</p> The key to raising these fish…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2013-02-03:2036984:Comment:3486092013-02-03T13:51:05.672ZBob Luskhttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/BobLusk
<p>The key to raising these fish beyond three pounds has been continually feeding them and having a high population of large bass to eat baby bluegills to minimize the risk of overpopulation of bluegills. In my experience as a fisheries biologist, overcrowded bass and giant bluegills go hand in hand.</p>
<p>The lake is catch and release at this point because it hasn't reached its carrying capacity. With thousands of gallons flowing over the spillway every minute of every day, water quality…</p>
<p>The key to raising these fish beyond three pounds has been continually feeding them and having a high population of large bass to eat baby bluegills to minimize the risk of overpopulation of bluegills. In my experience as a fisheries biologist, overcrowded bass and giant bluegills go hand in hand.</p>
<p>The lake is catch and release at this point because it hasn't reached its carrying capacity. With thousands of gallons flowing over the spillway every minute of every day, water quality degradation hasn't been an issue. With a consistent feeding program, the fish don't miss many meals. With a strong predator base of 4-8 pound bass, bluegill numbers stay manageable. With acidic water, disease and parasites are less of an issue. Combine clean water, good food, just the right amount of bluegills fighting for space and food and minimal risk of disease in a fishery that has a high standing crop and you have the recipe for a great fishery and great results.</p> Maybe Bob or Bruce will chime…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2013-02-03:2036984:Comment:3483642013-02-03T04:58:44.281ZTony Livingstonhttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/TonyLivingston
<p>Maybe Bob or Bruce will chime in with an answer here...to my knowledge, the lake is catch and release to the public. Whether that means a selective harvest takes place otherwise, I can't say. This is just my take on it, but I believe that Bob keeps a pretty close eye on things, ready to tweak anything that needs changing.</p>
<p>I also feel that in a lot of cases the initial goal is a Bass fishery. To that end, it becomes important to feed the forage, which in this case means the BG benefit…</p>
<p>Maybe Bob or Bruce will chime in with an answer here...to my knowledge, the lake is catch and release to the public. Whether that means a selective harvest takes place otherwise, I can't say. This is just my take on it, but I believe that Bob keeps a pretty close eye on things, ready to tweak anything that needs changing.</p>
<p>I also feel that in a lot of cases the initial goal is a Bass fishery. To that end, it becomes important to feed the forage, which in this case means the BG benefit also...almost as a side effect. I'm sure the supplemental feeding that occurs at RM plays a huge role in growing those giant BG, but there must be additional, natural forage available for them too.</p>
<p>Sometimes, through careful management and creative strategies you find a BOW's sweet spot.....and the magic happens. There is no universal formula, rather each BOW has to be evaluated independently. That's where the knowledge comes into play, and in that respect, there's none better than Bob Lusk.</p> What is the key to surpassing…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2013-02-03:2036984:Comment:3486062013-02-03T04:33:46.836ZJeffrey D. Abneyhttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/JeffreyDavidAbney
<p>What is the key to surpassing the benchmark of 3 pounds regularly? The growth rate has obviously been incredible since the lake was refilled after dam repairs.......Is there a Selective Harvest plan in place at the lake or is the predator balance perfect to manage the population?.....I've never managed a pond but have always read that some of the fish have to come out of a particular body of water to improve overall size and growth. Maybe Richmond Mill is different....Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>What is the key to surpassing the benchmark of 3 pounds regularly? The growth rate has obviously been incredible since the lake was refilled after dam repairs.......Is there a Selective Harvest plan in place at the lake or is the predator balance perfect to manage the population?.....I've never managed a pond but have always read that some of the fish have to come out of a particular body of water to improve overall size and growth. Maybe Richmond Mill is different....Thanks in advance!</p> You are right, Tony...several…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2013-02-03:2036984:Comment:3483512013-02-03T03:50:16.615ZJim Gronawhttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/JimGronaw
<p>You are right, Tony...several guys could fly into Raleigh Airport and rent a car down to King Fisher and have the greatest bluegill experience ever! I could see several people on this site doing it! Trust me...it would be unbelievable! Of the twelve bluegills I have caught over 2 pounds, every one was from this amazing lake!</p>
<p>You are right, Tony...several guys could fly into Raleigh Airport and rent a car down to King Fisher and have the greatest bluegill experience ever! I could see several people on this site doing it! Trust me...it would be unbelievable! Of the twelve bluegills I have caught over 2 pounds, every one was from this amazing lake!</p>