Food source?

Super Fluke · 06-12-2009, 03:47 PM

Fellow I-Fishers what can I put in my pond to encourge growth to my fish in the pond?It has lots of aquadic weeds and some wood and good debth.Which provides areas for insects to grow,little fish to hide.the pond has good circulation.Should I purchase a fish feeder?Should I catch night crawlers and dump them in by the 5 gallon bucket full? Should I leave the pond alone ?Any advice would be helpful.I'm very very new at this pond management stuff. I want my pond to be managed properly.Thanks

jcft2007 · 06-12-2009, 04:09 PM

Just being sarcastic now,
How about putting small trout in it? These little things will feed the bassies creating bigger bassies.....

Just food for thought!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super Fluke

Fellow I-Fishers what can I put in my pond to encourge growth to my fish in the pond?It has lots of aquadic weeds and some wood and good debth.Which provides areas for insects to grow,little fish to hide.the pond has good circulation.Should I purchase a fish feeder?Should I catch night crawlers and dump them in by the 5 gallon bucket full? Should I leave the pond alone ?Any advice would be helpful.I'm very very new at this pond management stuff. I want my pond to be managed properly.Thanks

Blacktailfiend · 06-12-2009, 04:22 PM

I bet if you put some rocks in there in certian places and go catch a bunch of crawdads regularly and put them in it couldnt hurt... I would check the legality though... Good luck...

mkwerx · 06-12-2009, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blacktailfiend

I bet if you put some rocks in there in certian places and go catch a bunch of crawdads regularly and put them in it couldnt hurt... I would check the legality though... Good luck...

It might not be legal to transplant crawdads from public waterways, but from one private pond to another, or from a mail-order service he should be a-OK. The crawdad idea is a good one, gives the bass something to snack on other than fish.

I'm assuming you're running a ratio of bass to bluegill/crappie? Have you thought about maybe putting in some threadfin shad, or a native minnow type baitfish?

Fish feeders might not be the best solution - might get dumb fish that way.

Why bother with pretty bassin' lures when all you'd have to do is find a Kibbles & Bit's imitation and toss out there when the feeder clicks on...

Or you could stock some nice toothy pike or muskies! They get big! And it would add a layer of excitement to catching one, I mean, a big pike could bite your thumb off. Imagine THAT fish story!

Twothirteen · 06-13-2009, 12:00 AM

Yeah I'm gonna have to vote for a big ol' Pike in there too!

QH's Paw · 06-13-2009, 07:41 AM

Well, the answers to your questions are going to be affected mainly by two items, size of pond and legality.
I have 3 ponds on my place and my biggest issue is salamanders. The fish can not reproduce successfully because of their numbers(the salamander numbers). I can't poison the salamanders because the water overflow eventually ends up in a waterway. That is also where many of your legal issues will come from. Even if I could get a permit to kill off the salamanders, it wouldn't take long for them to repopulate.
Because you say there is "good circulation" I am wondering if you mean recirculation from a pump or feed from a creek/run off etc.
If your pond has run off then it probably ends up in a waterway at some point which limits your "legal" options, even in regard to how you feed.
I have left the fish in my pond to fend for themselves because of the legal issues. They eat well on insects and mosquito fish the county puts in the pond.

phamf · 06-13-2009, 08:42 AM

Sounds like you got 15 huge bass in your pond. I'd buy bulk hatchery/farm fish food. They are dirt cheap and should feed those bass.

I have a smallmouth, and it sure is out competing the koi for food.

Hawk JJ · 06-13-2009, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QH's Paw

Well, the answers to your questions are going to be affected mainly by two items, size of pond and legality.
I have 3 ponds on my place and my biggest issue is salamanders. The fish can not reproduce successfully because of their numbers(the salamander numbers). I can't poison the salamanders because the water overflow eventually ends up in a waterway. That is also where many of your legal issues will come from. Even if I could get a permit to kill off the salamanders, it wouldn't take long for them to repopulate.
Because you say there is "good circulation" I am wondering if you mean recirculation from a pump or feed from a creek/run off etc.
If your pond has run off then it probably ends up in a waterway at some point which limits your "legal" options, even in regard to how you feed.
I have left the fish in my pond to fend for themselves because of the legal issues. They eat well on insects and mosquito fish the county puts in the pond.

They are Rough-skinned Newts--u can catchem with a net & long pole or probably a live trap with food inside. maybe even a crawdad trap.

the newts & bullfrogs are enemies--newts & crawdads are also enemies. they will eat tadpoles, fish eggs, just about anything they can find.

If your beloved youngsters play with a newt please make sure they wash their hands REAL GOOD. The Newts secrete a poison thru their skin. That is how they protect themselves.

http://www.californiaherps.com/salam...granulosa.html

Basshound · 06-14-2009, 09:19 AM

Always check the legalities. But im pretty sure you can use a minnow called a "Gambuzi". not sure on the spelling. I Believe this species offers a dual purpose of feed and Insect control. Any pond ive seen that has these fish still have a good insect life but not a mass storm of bugs. Ive seen Bass destroy these minnows. Now they reproduce pretty quick so I dont dont know how many you would need but if you have enough bass they will level out. If you need, send me a pm I can find out more from a Fellow of mine. Derek