Feeding pond fish

theboman · Jun 15, 2004

A few grass carp is too many. Have any vegatation growing in your pond? You should have some.... bugs eat the weeds, fish eat the bugs.
I know grass carp are useful in some instances but they will totally wipeout the vegatation as they did at Greenbo Lake here in Greenup County, KY. Now they let you keep the grass carp when you catch them after they ate the lake clean.

BotaGuy · Jun 15, 2004

Well, I found out here in Wisconsin, grass carp are banned. I didn't really want to introduce a non-native species, but I need to get the weeds thinned. I am putting in a new aerator on Wed. I will try to post some pics of the pond then.

fishman · Jun 15, 2004

If you can get some Purina Game Fish Chow, you can't go wrong. Around hear (TX) it's been selling for less than $15/bag. The main advantages it has over the TSC feed is that it comes in different particle sizes (feeds all sizes of fish), is round instead of extruded (less dust to clog feeder) and is higher protein (better conversion rate). Of course, the TSC feed will work fine too.

One feeder should suffice for a five acre lake. I'm partial to Sweeney feeders, and they are available over the internet direct Sweeney pond feeders . Pricey, but the numerous AF1100's I have experience with have never clogged or quit working. Can't say the same for the AF1300. I don't have any direct experience with Stren feeders but those I have talked with who do seem to have quite a few problems.

An added advantage to feeding is that you can get rapid growth from your catfish . . . anywhere from a 3:1 to 2:1 conversion rate. With five acres, you will have fish coming out of your ears and may have to open a catering business or something. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

You can always hand feed as well. Don't feed any more than the fish will eat in 15 minutes, and I wouldn't recommend feeding more than 10 lbs per day (2 lbs/acre) unless your goal is maximum production.

HeyNow · Jun 15, 2004

We have a three acre pond in the front of our home. We use the floating pellets from Southern States. Each evening the son and or wife feed the fish about two cups and will watch the huge bluegill and catfish come up to the edge to feed. Visitors are always excited to see what we have in our pond. Not many bass feed on the pellets.

eteagle · Jun 15, 2004

I've learned a lot from the replies. Thanks.

I put the amur in 20 yrs ago because of dense carpet of moss and vegetation over the whole lake. Looked like you could walk over it. In late August all the moss would die and the stink was awful.

Mistakenly put in 25 amur and all moss gone in 6 weeks and only a little grows now. I figure I have 10 or 12 left and see them in May June in shallows. They are huge, up to 4'. Sometimes bump into my jon boat and it is scary.

Thanks again.

Ernie

vlpena · Jun 15, 2004

The wife and I just recently bought 4+ acres that includes about a 1/2 to 3/4 acre stocked pond. We have caught a few yellow catfish and were told that bass and bream are in there too. The previous owner told us it was stocked in the last year and a half. The fish are small, but they will get bigger.
This is the first time that I've had a pond. How can I go about aerating it and clearing up the water?

Larry_Van_Horn · Jun 15, 2004

www.pondboss.com

MarkV · Jun 15, 2004

I'll second what Fishman said about the Purina Game Fish Chow. We started feeding about a month ago and the Bluegill, Bream to us Southern folks, come a running every time we walk on the dock now. We are doing it just for the enjoyment and throw about a pound a day off the dock on a 5 acre pond. It is great fun and visitors get a real kick out of it. Purina claims you can get up to a pound of fish weight gain for every two pounds of feed. Around here I am getting a 50 lbs. bag for about $11.50. To increase the fun, go buy a $10 pair of Wal-Mart fishing glasses. The polarized lenses really help you watch the feeding frenzy.

By the way, Fishman may be too modest to mention it but he is a biologist that is trained in pond management and has a management business in Texas. He's 'da man' on this subject.

MarkV

BotaGuy · Jun 15, 2004

Try www.pondsolutions.com

I just bought the 1/4 HP unit for my pond and will have it instaled by Wed. I replaced the former home made system using a sump pump. I think this system will help destratify the pond better, and the electricity stays on land.

fishman · Jun 15, 2004

vlpena,

You can also try this site: Aquatic Eco-systems

I use their bottom diffuser systems and have been very pleased with them. The lockable cabinet they sell with the unit is very well made and keeps folks out that shouldn't be messing with it. In addition, it keeps the compressor dry and cool.

Weighted tubing sure makes installation a lot easier, but it does add to the expense. I only use weighted tubing, myself.

Check out Pondboss for more info as mentioned above.

Since you are in Texas, you will also find this website useful: Texas Chapter American Fisheries Society

Near the bottom is a link to a downloadable version of the Pond Management Manual. This manual is useful to anyone in the southern tier of states. We are in the process of rewriting it to make it better, but it is still very helpful.