Transcript POND MANAGEMENT - Aquatic Environmental Services

Trophy Bass Management
“Stocking” Outside the Box
Greg Grimes
Aquatic Environmental Services
Fish List for Quality/Trophy Bass
Stocking
Bluegill Sunfish
Redear Sunfish
Fathead minnows
Threadfin Shad
Golden Shiners
Crayfish
Largemouth Bass(F1, Florida, Northern)
Gizzard Shad
Rainbow Trout
Tilapia (if legal)
Forage stocking-Foxworthy
52,000 bluegill, 52,000 fathead minnows and 5200 redear
Bluegill Sunfish
(Lepomis macrochirus)
Known as bream to many, they are the backbone of forage production for
largemouth bass ponds. Bluegill are very prolific, reproducing multiple times a
season (3-5 times/year). This provides largemouth bass with a large quantity of
food while still allowing themselves to sustain a healthy thriving population. They
spawn in large colonies of nest in 3 to 6 feet in depth over sandy and gravel
substrates close to the shore. Spawning occurs when water temperatures reach
67-70°F. Bluegill readily eat floating fish food and have great growth rates from
supplemental feeding. They also provide excellent fishing opportunities for kids
and novice fishermen and are good to eat. There are two subspecies of bluegill
native (also called Mississippi) and coppernose. The coppernose are better suited
for warm climates and are aggressive with supplemental feeding program.
Shellcracker or Redear
(Lepomis microlophus)
Also known as bream, the Shellcracker occupy a different ecological niche than
bluegill, improving the utilization of the pond’s natural productivity. Shellcracker
eat snails along with other invertebrates present in the pond and can help to
reduce the incidence of some fish parasites (i.e., grubs, flatworms) that use a
snail as a intermediate host. Similar to other bream species, Shellcracker are a
favorite prey fish for bass. They can grow larger than bluegill, but they are not as
prolific, since they reproduce only once per year. Usually distinguished from
bluegill by presence of red or orange ear tab.
Fathead Minnows
(Pimephales promelas)
Fathead minnows are typical stocked only in
new lakes at the same time the bluegill and
redear sunfish are stocked. Fathead minnows
provide a excellent forage species for young,
newly stocked bass and help reduce feeding
pressure on the bluegill from the bass.
Fathead minnows will reproduce at a high rate
but will become almost non existent after a
year or so due to predation from the bass.
However, during the time that the fathead
minnows population numbers are high, the
bluegill are flourishing and getting a head start
on the bass due to less Pressure from the
bass. This is why fathead minnows play such a
critical role in a newly stocked lake.
Threadfin Shad
(Dorosoma petenense)
This species occupies an additional niche in the ecosystem and improves lake
productivity since they mostly feed on phytoplankton. They provide a rich and
abundant source of protein for largemouth bass. It is critical for establishment
to stock in the spring with spawn ready shad. This means adult size (>2
inches) shad gathered when they are surfacing in efforts to spawn. The
numbers need to be high enough to survive initial bass predation in lakes
where already established. The bluegill population will increase due to less
predation pressure allowing higher recruitment of medium size bluegill.
Golden Shiners
(Notemigonus crysoleucas)
Golden shiners feed on small aquatic organisms and provide an additional forage
species for largemouth bass. They are known to eat the eggs of other species.
This provides a management concern. However, this can help to keep the bass
population from becoming over abundant. They routinely reach sizes up to 10
inches in length providing a larger prey item than threadfin shad.
Crayfish
(Procambarus clarkii)
Called swamp bugs, crawfish, crawdads or crayfish they are an asset to
growing big bass. Stocking rates are less for a new pond than existing lake.
Establishment is accomplished usually with 50 lbs/acre. They occupy a
different niche and in the right environment aid in bass growth. Some also
feel they create a situation where the bass bite better as well. Crayfish thrive
when they have hiding places, thick trees are good but rock and concrete are
even better. They also need a high hardness, something that should be
achieved with a good lime application.
Largemouth Bass
(Micropterus salmoides)
Largemouth bass are the preferred game
fish in the U.S. providing exciting fishing for
anglers. They will eat just about anything
that they can fit into their mouths making it
the top end predator in most ponds.
Largemouth bass begin to spawn when the
water temperature reaches 63-68°F,
normally once a year the in early spring
before bluegill begin to spawn. There are
two known subspecies, Florida and Northern.
Florida bass are known to grow quite large
but research has shown them to be less
aggressive when adults thus harder to catch.
Northern bass are more aggressive but do
not have the top end potential of Florida
bass. The F1 is a cross between the two
having the characteristics of both. You can
also have Fx bass that are a mix of genetics
of both subspecies. Lower stocking densities
provide increased initial growth during
critical early year growth periods.
Gizzard Shad
(Dorosoma cepedianum)
Gizzard shad are filter feeders and also feed on benthic organisms. Gizzard
shad provide an excellent forage species for largemouth bass. However they
do grow large in size and can become too big for a bass to eat. Due to this it
is critical to monitor their size to prevent what is called a “gizzard shad
lockup”. This is where large gizzard shad too big for bass use up a large
amount of food in the lake and they themselves do not spawn. To grow
really large bass this risk is worth taking. Though threadfin shad are
excellent forage when a lake owner wants to grow true trophy size bass,
they are the next choice. Do not stock these fish until the lake is established
with a high percentage of bass over 4 lbs.
Rainbow Trout
(Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Rainbow trout provide a good game fish for children and novice
fisherman and they diversify the fishing options of the pond.
Rainbow trout are aggressive fish that bite well during the cooler
months of the year when other fish are not as active and survive
temperatures up to 70o F. When stocked in November/December
they will provide six months or more of fun fishing before dying in
the summer heat. They take awhile to float and rarely do you ever
see any dead fish. They prove excellent high protein forage when
stocked at smaller sizes utilized by the bass.
Tilapia
Tilapia are a tropical fish belonging to the cichlid family. Tilapia are very
prolific and under the right conditions a female tilapia can produce 500 plus
fry every 3-5 weeks. Stocking tilapia provides a tremendous amount of
additional forage for the bass, but also helps reduce feeding pressure on the
bluegill. Tilapia feed on small aquatic organisms, fish food, and they also
feed on some aquatic vegetation such as filamentous algae and water meal
that are known to be hard to eliminate with herbicides. Tilapia can survive in
poor water quality conditions, however they die when water temperature
drops below 52°F for several days. They become lethargic providing easy
meals in the fall when temperatures drop to mid 50’s.
The Old Tried and True Method (south)
Good for “balanced” pond
• Designed in the 1950’s this followed a plan to put food on the table.
• Standard Stocking plan is 10:1 bream to bass. It calls for bream
stocking at 500 or 1000 if fertilized and 50/100 bass per acre. This
results in a bass-heavy environment within two years if bass harvest
is not taking place.
Why continue this outdated plan if you want trophy bass
growth?
Our stocking plan is about 48:1. You add in other forage items and you
can see why you get great bass growth.
Rates per Acre
Recommended
Rate/Number
Approx.
Cost
2,000 1-2 inches
$500
Once lake is half
full
Redear Sunfish
(Shellcracker)
400 1-2 inches
$120
Once lake is half
full
Largemouth Bass
50 Fingerlings
$50
June
Fathead Minnows
2,000
$120
Once lake is half
full
Threadfin Shad
½ load- up to 10 acres
$700
April
Golden Shiners
10 lbs
$80
April
Crawfish
50 lbs.
$150
Feb.-Mar.
Total Cost
Initial stocking
$1720
Rainbow Trout
200 7-9 inches
$250
30 lbs
$210
One Load
$1,200
Fish Species
Coppernose Bluegill
Tilapia
Gizzard Shad
Timeframe
November
3-5 yrs. after
Bass are
Stocked
Results
EX: Lake stocked in June 2006 with 2 inch
F1 bass.
October 2007- 3 lbs, 16 months
after stocking
March 2007-less than a yr. 1.4 lbs
A bass was caught in July 2008 over 6
lbs. Just over two years after stocking.
Does the program work? You be
the judge!
April 2008- 4 lbs
Results
2009 clients stocked with this
program. The bass were stocked
June 13, 2009 as two inch
fingerlings.
3 year old Avery Upchurch caught August 14th at 9 inches.
Results
Jeff Foxworthy Pond Stocked same day June 13, 2009 with fingerling bass. Later also
stocked with advanced bass ( see next slide) . We expect these bass to be over 12
inches by the end of this fall and pushing 2 lbs one year after stocking.
9 inches in August
Bass Genetics
Mixing of bass Genetics Depending on Goals
•Trophy Bass- More Florida- 50/50 with F1
•Quality Bass- 75% F1 25% Florida
•Aggressive Bass- 50/50 F1 and Northern
•Mix all three subspecies
•Advanced Fingerlings- Aggressive,
Best/Fastest Growers?
Bass Stocking- watch closely
Management Practices
• To maintain growth the pond must be
managed;
• Periodic Evaluation
• Harvest
• Lime/Fertilization
• Fish Feeding
• Fish Habitat Enhancements-Mapping
• Vegetation Control
• Aeration
Lake Evaluation
Class Size Distribution of Adult
Largemouth Bass
60
Actual
Balanced
Quality
50
%
40
30
20
10
0
8-10
10-12
12-14
14-18
Class size
>18
Class Size Distribution of Adult
Largemouth Bass
8-10
27%
10-12
52%
14-18
3%
>18
5%
12-14
13%
Age and Growth Data
Standard Wr Table for
Largemouth Bass
Length
(inches)
Weight
(lbs)
Length
(inches)
Weight
(lbs)
10
0.5
18
3.2
10.5
0.6
18.5
3.5
11
0.7
19
3.9
11.5
0.8
19.5
4.2
12
0.9
20
4.5
12.5
1
20.5
4.9
13
1.1
21
5.3
13.5
1.3
21.5
5.7
14
1.5
22
6.2
14.5
1.6
22.5
6.6
15
1.8
23
7.1
15.5
2
23.5
7.6
16
2.2
24
8.1
16.5
2.5
24.5
8.7
17
2.7
25
9.3
17.5
3
25.5
9.9
Example of Wr Graph
Relative weight of largemouth bass
Standard LMB
12
Palmer Lake 2008
Weight (lbs) .
10
Wr=102%
Wr=115%
Palmer Lake 2007
8
6
4
2
0
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
Lentgh (inches)
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
TAGGED BASS
Tag #
Length
(inches)
Weight
(lbs)
Wr
(%)
100
20.5
4.7
96
99
17.0
3.1
96
98
20.0
4.4
96
97
20.5
4.0
80
96
21.0
5.3
98
95
22.5
5.1
77
94
20.0
4.5
98
93
19.5
3.7
87
92
18.5
3.4
94
91
18.5
3.2
90
90
19.5
4.1
96
89
19.0
3.7
95
88
18.0
3.4
105
87
18.5
3.3
91
Relative weight of Tagged Largemouth Bass
Standard LMB
12
Palmer Lake 2007
Palmer Lake 2008
Weight (lbs) .
10
Palmer Lake 2009
8
6
4
2
0
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
Lentgh (inches)
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
Evaluation of the Bluegill Population
The suppressed number of 3-5 inch bluegill indicate a high
predation pressure of bass due to a heavy bass population
that feeds on this particular class size.
45
60
40
30
Actual
Balanced
25
40
%
%
Actual
Balanced
Quality
50
35
20
15
30
20
10
10
5
0
3-5
5-7
7-9
Class size
>9
0
8-10
10-12
12-14
14-18
Class size
>18
Which Bass should you harvest?
What about Now?
Which one to frying pan?
Water Quality
• Water Quality
parameters
measured:
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Dissolved Oxygen
pH
Hardness
Alkalinity
Temperature
Fecal Coliform
Conductivity
Visibility
Lime Applications
Fertilization
• Shades out vegetation
• Increases pond’s fishery
production
• Provides nice color when
performed properly
Fish Feeding
• Feed the foragesuggest Purina Game
Fish Chow or 36%
protein.
•Feed mainly for
bluegill, but shad,
fatheads, golden
shiners, tilapia and
rainbow trout utilize
as well.
•Direct Feeding of
Bass- feeders being
developed to use
Aquamax Largemouth
Nuggets.
Theo’s bass grown on
feed, 158% relative weight.
New lake not full but teaming
with fish!
Lake Mapping
Fish Habitat Enhancement
More Fish Habitat Examples
Vegetation Control
Before
After
Aeration Methods- Lake Life Pump
Bottom Diffused Aeration Systems
• Air compressor dispenses air through
self weighted tubing to air stations placed
in the deeper portions of the lake bottom.
• Prevent thermal stratification.
• Oxygen available throughout the water
column.
• Oxygen on the pond bottom = beneficial
bacteria.
• Bacteria aids in organic breakdown,
decreasing nutrients and
associated foul odors and can lower algae
growth.
Follow the stocking and management
plan to grow Monster Bass!
Thank You, any questions?
Aquatic Environmental Services
770-735-3523
FAX: 770-737-5135
www.lakework.com
2050 Howell Bridge Rd.
Ball Ground, GA 30107