Future blue gill factory

[Johnny]

Thers sevral ponds that range 1 to 4 acers near my house that were left behind from a strip mining outfit about 25 years ago, I'm want'n to start some fish in them if they have'nt been any transplanted already.

 

 Blue gill would be my #1 prospect (DUH !!!) the last time I was ther it was kinda vacant, not much for structure but a few rocks and ridges left from a dozer blade that pushed the the dam up, but no trees, limbs or logs, and it has only a dirt/mud bottom.

 

 With what I've posted whould anyone have some info about wher to start, for all I know the water aint fit to start fish in, I've seen some of these strip pit ponds that never had fish in them for 30 years but some have great fish'n.

 

 Wher to start ? (thanx in advance)

[Walt Foreman]

Hey Johnny, do you own the land, or are you just working with the ponds on permission from the landowner?  Just wondering how much latitude you have, etc. 

 

If your goal is big bluegill, you don't want a lot of cover in the water - fewer places for the bluegill to spawn makes it easier for the bass to keep their population in check, so that the few bluegill that survive the bluegill gauntlet have far more food to eat than they would in crowded conditions and grow much larger.  The world record bluegill came from a private pit in Alabama that has almost no cover, and very steep banks, and a large population of small bass - so the young bluegill  have nowhere to hide.

 

The first thing to do would be to test the pH and oxygen content.  If both of those are in the acceptable range, then you should simply fish the ponds to see if there's any fish in them presently.  (Or you could fish first, and if you catch some you know the pH and oxygen are at least at livable levels for the fish.)  If there are no fish in the ponds and the water quality is okay, which it probably is, then you can stock bluegill and bass; for the bluegill I would recommend coppernose bluegill from American Sportfish in Alabama.  They're the only hatchery in this area that I feel has pure-strain coppernose, and their coppernose have exceptional genetics as well - I have some in a few ponds I'm managing, and one half-acre pond we stocked fingerlings into last June has some that are already 7" - really amazing growth for less than a year.

 

Let me know if you're in the market for a consultant - would be happy to help.

[Joel Brooking Long]

Johnny,

The wildlife biologist for your area may be a good source of information.  That is who I contacted after our new pond was ready for fish.  The pond I stocked is about 5 acres and he recomended 1000 blue gill, 750 red ear, and 350 largemouth bass too keep the blue gill in check.  You will need to tell the biologist what size fish and what kind of fishing you are hoping the pond will be in the long run. 

 It has been about 12 years now since I stocked our pond and it has turned into a great fishing pond that the kids have really enjoyed. 

 

Good luck with it,

 

Joel

 

[Johnny]

Thanx for the input ya'll,  How can a guy check ph & oxygen levels, I was curious if the water mite be too hot (so to speak) for them to thrive, a pond across the road from has had fish in it for years but ther all puny little runts, my guess is over populated so thers not enuff food to go around or/and the water quality.

 

  Also had thoughts to check into the local state agraculture office and see what I could find out, mite be some good info to be found ther. 

 

  Copper nosed blue gill??? I'll have to look that one up, never heard of one, and as far as the pond goes...probably no one could tell you who actually owns it at this point, land has changed hands sevral times in teh last few years around here, owners are more than likely out of state and trust me from the looks of the rest of the place they dont much care for its condition.

 

Its been a long time since I've been ther myself so this weekend I'm gonna go check it out to see what it looks like & take along a rod & reel to do some prospect'n, its not a burn'n quest but I thought it mite be a good oppertunity to learn something plus (hopefully) end up with a good place for the neighborhood to fish.